Beijing Conference Report PDF

Conference
Report
2123 October 2013, Beijing, China
International Conference
on Learning Cities
Lifelong learning for all: Inclusion,
prosperity and sustainability in cities
Conference
Report
2123 October 2013, Beijing, China
on Learning Cities
Lifelong learning for all: Inclusion,
prosperity and sustainability in cities
Published 2014 by
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
Feldbrunnenstrae 58
20148 Hamburg
Germany
While the programmes of the UNESCO Institute for
Lifelong Learning (UIL) are established along the lines
laid down by the General Conference of UNESCO, the
publications of the Institute are issued under its sole
responsibility. UNESCO is not responsible for their
contents.
The points of view, selection of facts and opinions
expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily coincide with official positions of UNESCO or the
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.
The designations employed and the presentation of
material in this publication do not imply the expression
of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO or
the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning concerning
the legal status of any country or territory, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitations of the frontiers of
any country or territory.
ISBN 978-92-820-1184-3
Design
Christiane Marwecki
cmgrafix communication media
Editing assistance provided by Kaitlyn A.M. Bolongaro
Photo index
All pictures BEIJING Municipal Education Commission
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
I.
II.
Overview of the Conference

Conference Inputs and Discussion
A. Opening of the Conference
B. Plenary Sessions
C. Parallel Regional Forums
E. Open Marketplace
D. Mayors Forum
F. Closing of the Conferenece
G. Study and Cultural Visits
III. Conference Outcomes

A. Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities
B. Key Features of Learning Cities
IV. Media Coverage and Feedback

A. Media Coverage
B. Feedback from Participants
10
14
17
18
19
20
23
23
27
39
39
40
Appendices
42
47
A. Conference Agenda
B. Members of the Bureau of the Conference
42
C. Opening Addresses
48
E. List of Participants
56
D. Report of the Conference by the General Rapporteur
53
UNESCO gratefully acknowledges the

generous hospitality and financial
support of the Chinese Ministry of
Education, the Beijing Municipal
Government, and the National
Commission of China for UNESCO in
organising the International Conference
on Learning Cities.
Executive Summary
The first International Conference on Learning Cities,

which was co-organised by UNESCO, the Ministry of
Education of China and Beijing Municipal Government,
took place from 2123 October, 2013, in Beijing. The aim
of this conference was to mobilize cities to promote
lifelong learning for all as a vector of equality and social
justice, social cohesion and sustainable prosperity. The
specific objectives of the conference were:

Adoption of the Beijing Declaration on Building

Learning Cities and the Key Features of Learning
Cities; and
Exchange of best practices in building learning
cities in the international community.
Over 550 delegates from 102 countries attended. These

included mayors, city education executives, education
experts, and representatives of UN agencies, regional
organisations, non-governmental associations and
international corporations. Senior international,
national and municipal representatives, including
Vice-Premier of China Ms Liu Yandong and Mayor of
Beijing Mr Wang Anshun, addressed plenary sessions
and regional panels. Discussions focussed on the stages
of development necessary to turn cities into learning
cities and communities that nurture active citizenship,
promote economic and cultural prosperity and lay the
foundation for sustainable development. UNESCO
Director-General Ms Irina Bokova hailed the Conference
as a milestone that goes to the heart of UNESCOs
work in lifelong learning.
The conference culminated in the adoption of the

Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities and the
Key Features of Learning Cities. The Beijing Declaration
affirms the vital importance of education for the
future of all human communities. It concludes with the
following Call to Action:

Urging UNESCO to establish a global network

of learning cities to support and accelerate
the practice of lifelong learning in the worlds
communities;
Calling upon cities and regions in every part of the
world to join this network;
Encouraging international and regional
organisations to become active partners in this
network;
Calling upon national authorities to encourage
local jurisdictions to build learning cities,
regions and communities, and to participate in
international peer-learning activities; and
Inviting foundations, private corporations and civil
society organisations to become active partners of
the network.
The Key Features of Learning Cities were also endorsed

as a normative instrument to help municipal
governments and other city stakeholders in their
efforts to build learning cities.
In all, the conference generated the momentum to
accelerate and support the practice of lifelong learning
in the worlds communities through the establishment
of a global network of learning cities.
Executive Summary
I. Overview of the Conference
The influence of cities in national and world affairs has

increased considerably in recent years. This is partly
due to the growth in the number of city dwellers. Since
2008, the majority of the worlds population lives in
cities. By 2030, the proportion is likely to exceed sixty
per cent. As cities expand, municipal governments
face challenges associated with social inclusion,
new technologies, the knowledge economy, cultural
diversity and environmental sustainability. In response,
a growing number of cities are developing innovative
strategies that allow citizens of all ages to learn new
skills and competencies throughout life, thereby
transforming their cities into learning cities.
More than 1,000 cities and urban areas in the world
have become or are in the process of becoming learning
cities. Many of these cities are keen to benefit from
participation in international policy dialogue, action
research, capacity building and peer learning, and to
effectively use learning city approaches to promote
lifelong learning for their citizens.
International experiences have shown that building
a learning city entails a continuous process that
involves advocacy, facilitation and capacity-building.
In recognition of this process, the UNESCO Institute for
Lifelong Learning (UIL) took the initiative to prepare a
dynamic international platform for cities to exchange
ideas and good practices on effective approaches to
building learning cities. In doing so, UIL has adopted the
following working definition:
A Learning City is a city that effectively mobilizes its
resources in every sector to:
Promote inclusive learning from basic to higher
education;
Re-vitalize learning in families and communities;
Facilitate learning for and in the workplace;
Extend the use of modern learning technologies;
Enhance quality and excellence in learning; and
Nurture a culture of learning throughout life.
In so doing, it will create and reinforce individual
empowerment and social cohesion, economic and
cultural prosperity, and sustainable development.
6 Overview of the Conference
In 2012, UNESCO decided to co-organise the First

International Conference on Learning Cities in
collaboration with the Ministry of Education of China
and Beijing Municipal Government. The organisational
process began with preparatory meetings to establish
collaborative partnerships and develop draft versions of
the Beijing Declaration and the Key Features. These were
held in Hamburg, Beijing, Hangzhou, and Jeju (Republic
of Korea). Additionally, the draft Key Features were
piloted in a number of cities in each UNESCO region.
To establish a truly global network of learning cities
and build synergies between different international
and national initiatives, UIL invited relevant national,
regional and international organisations and agencies,
as well as private sector corporations, to serve as
collaborating partners of the conference. The following
twenty-three collaborating partners agreed to support
the organisation of the conference:

International and Regional Organisations/
Agencies
- The United Nations Human Settlements
Programme (UN-HABITAT)
- Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI)
- European Commission
- Organization of Ibero-American States for
Education, Science and Culture (OEI)
Ministries of Education of Member States
- China
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Romania
- Turkey
- Viet Nam
International and Non-governmental Associations
- Association for the Development
of Education in Africa (ADEA)
- International Council for Adult Education (ICAE)
- PASCAL International Observatory
- dvv International
Foundations and Corporations

- Asia-Europe Foundation
- Festo Didactic
- IBM
- Intel, Inc.
- Kings Group
- Microsoft, Inc.
Cities and Universities
- Beijing Municipality
- Cape Higher Education Consortium
- Beijing Normal University
- Swansea University
- University of South Australia
UIL, in collaboration with the Beijing Municipal

Government and Beijing Normal University, developed
a conference website in English and Chinese (http://
learningcities2013.org), providing participants with
the Conference programme, practical information and
related news items.
Alongside the main conference proceedings, a special

exhibition was held, illustrating through texts and
images, the activities of the three co-hosts in relation
to lifelong learning and learning cities.
Overview of the Conference
II. Conference Inputs and Discussion
A. Opening of the Conference

Master of ceremonies:
Mr Yuan Guiren, Minister of Education of China
Opening addresses:
Mr Wang Anshun, Mayor of Beijing Municipal
Government, China
Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO
Ms Liu Yandong, Vice-Premier of China
The conference began with a series of opening
addresses from the host organisations. [For opening
addresses, see Appendix C] As Conference Chair,
Government, welcomed participants and introduced
the development of Beijing as a learning city. He
explained that this development has been proceeding
under the Chinese National Medium and Long-Term
Plan for Education Reform and Development by 2020.
He expressed high expectations for the conference,
recognising the valuable opportunity for Beijing to learn
from the best practices of other learning cities.
Welcoming addresses were also delivered by Ms Irina
Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO and Ms Liu
Yandong, Vice-Premier of China. Both stressed the
importance of lifelong learning for lasting peace and
sustainable development, and the key role of cities in
this initiative.
Solutions lie in the imaginations of women and men,
in their rights and dignity, in societies that are just and

inclusive. At this time of change, lifelong learning has
never been more important and cities, where more
than half of the worlds population lives today, have a

leading role to play in creating new opportunities for
learning.
Ms Irina Bokova
Ms Bokova began by quoting the Discourses and
Sayings of Confucius, reflecting the deep roots of
lifelong learning in China. She declared Beijing the
best place to hold the first International Conference

on Learning Cities and stated that UNESCO places the
promotion of learning cities at the heart of its work
in lifelong learning. UIL leads the work through the
establishment of a dynamic network at the global,
national and municipal levels, bringing together
experts and the private sector.
Ms Liu affirmed that the building of learning cities in
China would be placed at the centre of the national
plan, helping to fulfil the Chinese Dream of the
nations great rejuvenation. This strategy is closely
connected with economic development, social
transformation and civilization.
The construction of learning cities and the provision of
better learning services to urban citizens can enhance
the level of morality and culture amongst them, the
quality of their lives and expectations of happiness,
increase the capacity for employment, entrepreneurship

and career transitions, and facilitate the comprehensive
and personalised development of each and every
individual... Lifelong learning makes the future of life

more beautiful.
Ms Liu Yandong
Conference Inputs and Discussion 9
Ms Liu exhorted mayors and education executives to

promote lifelong learning in order to create a better
future for cities. She issued a call for action to officials:
first, to put people first by satisfying the learning
needs and aspirations of different groups; second,
to stimulate creativity and promote prosperous and
sustainable development; third, to create a learning
environment and build cities of tolerance and harmony;
and finally, to strengthen international cooperation and
promote mutual exchanges between learning cities.
She pledged the Chinese governments support for
UNESCOs initiative.
Following the opening addresses, Mr Carlsen, Director
of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)
and Secretary-General of the Conference, outlined the
background of the conference. He explained UILs work
in the development of learning cities and presented the
conference programme. The delegates unanimously
adopted the conference agenda and ratified the
election of the Chair and the Vice-Chairs, the GeneralRapporteur of the Conference and the members of the
Drafting Committee.
[For member list, see Appendix B].
B. Plenary Sessions
1. Making a case for building a learning city
Moderator: Mr Walter Hirche,
President of the German National Commission
for UNESCO, Germany
Keynote address: Ms Lu Xin, Vice-Minister,
Ministry of Education of China

Panellists:
Ms Mariko Sato, Chief, UN-HABITAT Bangkok
Mr Steffen Lehmann, UNESCO Chair, Professor
of the University of South Australia, Australia
Ms Graciela Messina, International Consultant,
Argentina
Mr George D Thomas, Partner & Director,
Smarter Cities & Growth Initiatives,
Greater China Group, IBM
The first session discussed the concept of lifelong

learning and presented concrete cases for building
learning cities to support mayors, city education
executives and experts in championing the concept.
In her keynote address, Vice-Minister Lu introduced
the progress and achievement of the learning cities
projects by the Ministry of Education. Shanghai became
the first learning city in China in 1999; there are now
100 learning cities in China. The government has
adopted this strategy to create policies and guidelines
for more learning opportunities. For example, China
has established a legal framework to promote lifelong
learning, launched learning organisations, promoted
e-learning through its Smart City programme, and
worked towards creating a lifelong learning culture
with activities such as the knowledge feast.
Ms Sato of UN-Habitat argued that cities need to
transform their development approach towards
sustainable urban development, aiming to establish
more compact, socially inclusive, better integrated and
connected cities. The core idea behind this approach
is to bring people to the centre of decision making,
requiring that urban planners establish continuous
learning systems, from local communities to the
municipal government.
Mr Lehmann asserted that learning city, by its nature,
is more sustainable and thus attracts skilled workers
and greater investment. Mr Lehmann argued that,
as a citys quality of life is directly connected to its
educational strength, learning should be placed at
the forefront of all urban development. He identified
three components for building a sustainable learning
city: green campuses, where informal learning coexist
with formal education and biodiversity is linked to
urban development; learning gardens, where citizens
increase their awareness of the importance of natural
resources through farming and gardening; and a citys
built heritage, which embodies identity, culture and
history.
Ms Messina stressed the crucial importance of lifelong
learning for a more equal future. She identified lifelong
learning for all as a key mechanism for reducing
educational inequality, racial segregation, violence
and other social problems. Mayors and city education
executives must fully understand the concept in order
to design appropriate policies and programmes.
Mr Thomas of IBM discussed the future of smarter
cities and the important role of education from the
perspective of a private-sector organisation. He
stressed the need to change the traditional education
format and to develop outcome-driven curricula,
learner-centric collaborative education, lifelong talent
management, and technology-enabled outcome-
10
oriented processes. In this regard, he underscored

three critical areas: improving teaching effectiveness
and student outcomes; enabling greater insight about
learners needs through predictive analytics; and
maximizing operational efficiency and effectiveness.
This session affirmed urbanisation as a megatrend and,
thus, the growing importance of cities for development.
However, cities are not only generators of social
inclusion, decent jobs and innovation but are also
settings of social exclusion, violence, environmental
deterioration and poverty. The impact of urbanisation
depends on individual citizens and their ability to turn
their cities into prosperous communities. Therefore,
the principle of people first was emphasized, involving
citizens in the decision-making process. A sustainable
urban development approach based on lifelong
learning for everyone is imperative to the achievement
of sustainable urban development.
2. The building blocks of a learning city
Moderator: Mr Gwang-Jo Kim,
Director, UNESCO Bangkok
Keynote address: Mr James Bernard,
Global Director, Partners in Learning,
Microsoft Corporation
Panellists:
Ms Dana-Carmen Bachmann, Head of Unit,
Vocational training and adult education,
Directorate General Education and Culture,
European Commission
Mr Jun Ge, Managing Director, Intel China Ltd.
Mr Nader Imani, Head of Global Education,
FESTO Didactic
The second session featured perspectives from both
the public and private sectors on concrete future
requirements for building learning cities. The panellists
from the private sectors illustrated cases from their
respective corporate education programmes. Their
presentations showcased how corporations react to
and anticipate changing conditions in the workplace
and the market.
Information and communication technology offers a
huge potential for the education sector. Mr Bernard
of Microsoft Corporation delivered a keynote address
emphasising the opportunities and challenges involved
in using this new technology in education and learning.
Twenty-first-century learning skills blend formal
and informal learning, focusing on employability
and workplace readiness, and creating further
avenues for a personalized learning environment.
Microsoft introduced its initiative of Innovative

Teaching and Learning Research to promote teacher
training. This programme helps teachers to gain a
clear understanding of how to use information and
communication technology in the classroom.
Ms Bachmann from the European Commission
presented the Europe 2020 Growth Strategy. This
ten-year plan aims to keep Europe highly competitive
in education. The European Commission defines its
growth vision as smart, sustainable, and inclusive. It
underscores that its goals can only be achieved through
quality general education, quality vocational education,
and access to training for all citizens. Therefore,
the European Commission has included Skills and
competence development for European Union citizens
as the key to its Growth Strategy. In its specific
Education and Training Strategy for Europe 2020, it has
made lifelong learning a priority, identifying three areas
of action: delivering the right skills for employment;
identifying new innovative ways of teaching and
learning; and bringing new approaches to funding and
partnerships.
Mr Ge of Intel China discussed the meaning of quality
education provision in a global information society.
Each modern education system will be preparing
students for future success in a global information
society. Students therefore need to be equipped with
21st century skills: communication, critical thinking,
problem solving, digital literacy and collaboration. He
pointed out that many education systems are currently
unable to teach these skills. Therefore, national,
regional and local governments and educators must
take on the responsibility to reform their education
systems and transform teaching methods. Intel applies
a five-prong approach to developing student-centred
education: 1) research, monitoring and evaluation;
2) professional development, 3) curriculum and
assessment; 4) information and communication
technology and 5) sustainable resourcing.
Most citizens develop skills to meet labour market

demands. However, existing education systems often
fail to train the skills required by employers. Mr Imani of
industrial training company FESTO Didactic discussed
how to match skills development to workplace realities.
First, learning environments need to serve as a bridge
between education institutions and the labour market
by implementing demand-driven learning and hands-on
training. Second, professional competences ought to be
defined to include knowledge and experience in relation
to specific jobs and generic skills. Third, information
and communication technology, blended learning and
networked learning should be included in learning.
Finally, he emphasized that project-led learning
is necessary to offer comprehensive and relevant
opportunities.
From this session, it is clear that lifelong learning
represents a crucial strategic response to emerging
urban socio-economic challenges. However, there
is still a long way to go to fully operationalise the
vision of Lifelong Learning for All, despite efforts
of governments and international organisations.
The recent results of the OECDs Programme for the
International Assessment of Adult Competencies
(PIACC) demonstrate that, even in developed countries,
a large portion of the adult population lacks literacy
skills. Moreover, the failure of education and training
systems to address the severe skills mismatch is
apparent both to employers and employees. Clearly,
political agendas are not sufficient to make lifelong
learning for everyone a reality. The perspective to
define lifelong learning has to accommodate the skills
demanded by employers. In this sense, the private
sector has the potential to become a strong partner to
build learning cities by offering innovative approaches,
advanced technology and a training perspective closely
linked to the labour market.
3. The major strategies for building a learning city
Moderator: Ms Benita Carole Somerfield,
International Chair of the U.S. Library of Congress
Literacy Awards (2013), former Executive Director
of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
(19882012), United States of America
Keynote address: Ms Un Shil Choi,
President, National Institute for Lifelong
Education (NILE), Republic of Korea
Panellists:
Ms Constance Chigwamba,
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education,
Sport, Arts and Culture, Zimbabwe
12
Mr Michael Osborne,
Co-Director of PASCAL Observatory, University
of Glasgow, United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland
Mr Ron Faris, President,
Golden Horizon Ventures, Canada
Mr Zhou Zheng,
Senior Consultant/Acting City Account
Manager of East China, Siemens
The third plenary session presented important

approaches for building learning cities that could be
adopted by city governments and other stakeholders.
In the Republic of Korea, strategies to promote learning
cities have changed with the countrys development.
Ms Choi from the National Institute for Lifelong
Education reported that the learning city has evolved
from version 1.0 to version 3.0. Learning cities in
Korea were able to arrive at this stage due to the
Governments support for the Lifelong Education
Law, the National Lifelong Education Promotion
Plan, and the already implemented Lifelong Learning
Cities Project. Under version 3.0, the learning cities
of the Republic of Korea have moved towards a
community-centred approach. This process includes
the establishment of the nationwide learning cities
networks, expansion of community learning, fostering
learning culture, close connection between education
and job creation, and consideration of senior citizens as
active learners.
Mr Faris was deeply involved in the development of the
Composite Learning Index (CCI) of the Canadian Council
on Learning and explained three main implications for
the Key Features of Learning Cities: first, understand
that every learning city is unique; second, support
access to valid local data through interactive web
tools; and, finally, ensure long-term political will and
commitment.
Mr Zheng presented the research methodology and

outcomes of the Siemens Green City Index, a tool to
evaluate sustainable development in 130 major cities.
Each city report generated through the index contains
overall lessons for the region as well as detailed city
profiles describing individual performances and
best practices. The lessons contained in the series
are intended to help cities learn from each other as
they debate policies and strategies to minimise their
environmental footprint.
Mr Osborne of PASCAL emphasised research and
collaboration to promote learning cities. He suggested
the following approaches: 1) prepare quantitative
datasets of the key features of learning cities and
utilise longitudinal analysis on the data sets; 2) use
comparative analysis to measure performance; 3)
benchmark current infrastructure development
and practice; 4) highlight cases of good practice; 5)
collaborate by sharing knowledge among cities; and 6)
review progress at regular intervals.
Ms Chigwamba of the Ministry of Education, Sport,
Arts and Culture of Zimbabwe underlined that, while
urbanization is increasing rapidly in Africa, the majority
of people in the African region still live in rural areas
and their needs must be included in learning cities. She
suggested using the learning community approach
to work out strategies on how urban and rural areas
in Africa can cooperate to provide lifelong learning for
every citizen.
There is no unified model for building learning
cities; diverse strategies and approaches are needed,
depending on local socio-economic, environmental
and cultural contexts. Cities have to take a holistic
perspective reflecting a wide variety of learners, and
different aspects of lifelong learning and its benefits.
The Composite Learning Index (CCI) framework
based on the Four Pillars of Learning, developed
for UNESCO by the Delors Report, serves as a good
model. Furthermore, as big data takes centre-stage
in policy-making, data collection and analysis can help
cities provide quality learning for the well-being and
happiness of its citizens.
4. Introduction to the draft Beijing Declaration on

Building Learning Cities and Key Features of Learning
Cities
Moderator: Mr Heribert Hinzen,
Regional Director of dvv international in the Lao
Peoples Democratic Republic
Presenters:
Mr Norman Longworth, UIL Consultant
Mr Jin Yang, Senior Programme Specialist, UIL
Ms Mara Nadiezhda Robles Villaseor,
Minister of Education, Mexico City, Mexico
Ms Judith James, Strategic Projects Manager,
Planning and Strategic Projects Unit, Swansea
University, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland
In the final plenary session, Mr Longworth and
Mr Yang introduced the draft Beijing Declaration on
Building Learning Cities and Key Features of Learning
Cities. Delegates discussed these two documents and
reached consensus on their significance.
The primary purpose of the Beijing Declaration
on Building Learning Cities was to document the
commitments made by delegates at the Conference to
building learning cities. It was also intended to serve
as a reference point, and a clarion call to develop fully
fledged learning cities. It calls upon city authorities
to promote inclusive learning; to facilitate family,
community, and workplace learning; to extend the
use of learning technologies; to enhance learning
quality; and to foster a lifelong learning culture to
transform the cities into more inclusive and sustainable
communities. The declaration calls upon UNESCO,
international and regional organisations, national
governments, foundations and private corporations to
become active partners with communities and local
officials to promote the building of learning cities. It
asks these institutions to establish a global network
of learning cities and support the development and
implementation of lifelong learning strategies in cities
and urban regions.
In his presentation, Mr Yang underscored the
importance of the Key Features of Learning Cities as a
tool for monitoring the building of a learning city; as
a mechanism to transform political and theoretical
discourses into concrete strategies, to measure progress
over time, and to evaluate the benefits of implemented
approaches. The framework, inspired by UNESCOs
logo, has three components: the wider benefits,
major building blocks and the fundamental conditions
necessary to build a learning city. Following the
deliberations of the drafting committee, UIL submitted
a total of forty two features to the conference.
13
UIL selected cities in each of the UNESCO regions

to pilot the Key Features. The aim was to gauge the
relevance and the feasibility of the Key Features. Two
of the eight cities that participated in the pilot project
Mexico City and Swansea delivered reports in this
session. Their experience affirmed that the Key Features
can be a useful monitoring tool.
1. Regional Forum on Africa
Ms Robles from Mexico City discussed the value of

participating in the pilot project; the benefits include
deepening the understanding of a learning city and
providing practical steps for different stakeholders. Ms
James from Swansea encouraged other cities to use the
Key Features as a monitoring tool to identify strengths
and weaknesses as a potential learning city. She
proposed that cities should identify stakeholders and
develop collaborative partnerships with them.
Panellists:
Mr Haskins Goitsemodimo Nkaigwa,
Mayor of Gaborone City Council, Botswana
Ms Therese Olenga-Kalonda, Minister of Education,
Kinshasa Provincial Government, Democratic
Republic of the Congo
Mr Farouk Iya Sambo, Commissioner of Education
of Kano State, Nigeria
Mr Jerry William Silaa, Mayor, Ilala Municipal
Council, United Republic of Tanzania
Mr Comlan Ametowoyona Adjahouinou,
Mayor of Lom, Togo
Participants suggested providing further support

disadvantaged groups and rural dwellers, increasing
human security, promoting cultural diversity,
mobilising citizens participation and establishing
learning organisations. Some delegates also suggested
cooperation with established networks such as the
Creative Cities Network and the Child-friendly Cities.
Both the Beijing Declaration and the Key Features
were amended, incorporating the issues raised by the
members of the Drafting Committee and conference
delegates, and adopted by the Conference.
Moderator: Mr Jean-Marie Ahlin Byll-Cataria,

Chair of the UIL Governing Board and former
Executive Secretary, Association for the
Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)
C. Parallel Regional Forums

The parallel regional forums enabled participants
to exchange information on best practices in their
countries. There were five regional forums, which
explored region-specific cases and issues in building
learning cities.
Each forum was managed by a moderator with
expertise and understanding of the circumstances in
the region. In order to foster productive discussion, the
Conference Secretariat requested that the panellists
and audience members focus on three key questions:

Is the learning city concept relevant to your region?;

What are the key issues that cities in your region
must address in order to become learning cities?; and
How can cities in your region best collaborate with
each other?
The five regional forums endorsed learning cities as

beneficial to the prosperity, employability and overall
well-being of citizens. Based on the diverse social,
political, cultural, and economic environments in
each city, a variety of approaches to building learning
cities and making lifelong learning possible for all was
adopted.
14
The African Regional Forum opened with remarks

about the rapid economic growth and urbanisation
rate in Africa. In light of these trends, cities will play
an increasingly important role in the promotion of
education and learning. Participants recognised that
the concept of a learning city is very relevant to the
region. Some affirmed that cities have already become
learning cities by placing learning at the forefront of
their policies and strategies.
Mr Adjahouinou presented the Entrepreneurship
Programme in Lom, Togo as an example of a learning
city initiative. In this case, the city council collaborated
with the university to create learning and employment
opportunities for citizens.
The case presentations emphasized that Education for
All remains the priority of African cities. Mr Nkaigwa
and Ms Olenga-Kalonda urged governments to take
responsibility for basic infrastructure, such as school
furniture, textbooks and financial support systems,
to ensure the right to basic education for all Africans.
Furthermore, as Mr Silaa pointed out, promoting

lifelong learning in order to stimulate green economy is
an important issue in the region.
Participants emphasized the significance of political
will and the involvement of different stakeholders in
building elaborate lifelong learning systems. Mr Iya
Sambo highlighted that national and local governments
should combine their efforts to develop systems and
policies to promote lifelong learning in urban areas. He
also stressed the importance of partnerships among
different ministries at the local government level.
At the end of the discussion, participants highlighted
the need for platforms and forums where cities could
learn from each other and work together.
2. Regional Forum on the Arab States
Moderator: Mr Osman M. Nour, Advisor,
Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI)
Panellists:
Ms Ekbal El Samaloty, Chairwoman of Eve
Future Association and Dean of Social Work
Institute, Egypt
Ms Foziah Al-Suker, Director General for Adult
Education, Ministry of Education,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mr Mohammed Easa Alkhumiri Alharmi, Director,
Ministry of Education, Specialized Schools
Department, United Arab Emirates
The Regional Forum on the Arab States demonstrated
the importance of making lifelong learning a high
priority to governments. Mr Alkhumiri Alharmi
presented the example of the United Arab Emirates,
whose core activity in promoting lifelong learning
for all has been the provision of the quality of
educational opportunities. Various programmes have
been implemented at the municipal level, including
the Knowledge Village, the City Academy, and adult
education centres.
In general, the participants agreed that increasing
literacy rates is of primary importance. In particular,
women are often excluded from educational
opportunities and thus are unable to read and write.
Therefore, women are the critical target group for
building learning cities in the region. In this regard, the
Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
is implementing the Learning Districts programme,
which promotes capacity building for women with low
educational levels and limited economic opportunities.
Ms Al-Suker described the programme as a learning
opportunity for disadvantaged women to become
literate and be active members of their communities.
Building a learning city is a collective activity that

requires the involvement of both government and
civil society organizations. Participants stressed that
in order to establish the partnerships required for a
learning city, certain barriers must first be overcome.
These include a lack of culture of partnership and
diverging interests in partnership.
Ms El Samaloty presented the Egyptian governments
Friendly Learning Environment Project as an example
of a partnership between government and civil
society. The project organised committees in different
municipalities by appointing local community leaders
from different groups such as youth, women, and older
people. In doing so, local stakeholders cooperated with
the government to improve learning environments by
carrying out research and communal activities.
The Arab States Regional Forum affirmed that
building learning cities should be the regions key
development strategy. They also emphasized the
importance of government commitment to provide
lifelong opportunities for all citizens and the need for
partnership among cities in an Arab cities network.
3. Regional Forum on Asia and the Pacific
Moderator: Mr Gwang-Jo Kim,
Director, UNESCO Bangkok
Panellists:
Mr Jose Enrique Sandejas Garcia III, Mayor,
City Government of Balanga, Philippines
Mr Shaji Baby John, Chairman of the Kings
Group, India
Mr Wang Chengbin, Vice Mayor of Changzhou,
China
Mr Ki-Dae Yang, Mayor of Gwangmyeong City,
Republic of Korea
The Asia and the Pacific Regional Forum highlighted a

case of reconstructing a city based on lifelong learning
concepts. Mr Sandejas Garcia presented the Balanga
2020: World-Class University Town project. The
programme aims to transform urban design, land use,
policies, and marketing strategies to strengthen the
learning environment of the city and ensure sustainable
development.
Due to Asias extensive experience in building learning
cities, this regional forum discussed effective strategies.
Mr Wang shared the example of how Changzhou
is expanding citizens learning opportunities. It has
diversified learning paths through expanding access
to the university community, developing an e-learning
platform, linking programmes in high schools and
vocational colleges, and recognizing learning results.
Learning organisations are also important to cultivate a
learning culture and increase citizens participation.
Mr Yang introduced Gwanymyeong City, the Republic
of Korea as a pioneer in the field. He cited the creation
of a strong network of lifelong learning institutions as
an essential factor to a successful learning city project.
The network is a platform that informs citizens about
opportunities to participate in community learning
activities.
Based on his experience in community development,
Mr Shaji forwarded his vision of a learning city as a city
where all citizens could learn, work and play within
walking distance. He urged creating an elaborate
ecosystem when building a learning city and argued
that modern technology and entrepreneurs can support
sustainable urban living.
There was a broad consensus that building learning
cities is an efficient way to achieve social cohesion,
increase employment and for everyone to pursue
happiness. Instead of suffering from brain-drain, the
cities in the region are enjoying brain-gain because of
their educational power. Furthermore, cities have an
interest in sharing their experiences in lifelong learning
and are moving to support cities in other regions.
4. Regional Forum on Europe and North America

Moderator: Ms Dana-Carmen Bachmann,
Head of Unit, Vocational training and adult
education, Directorate General Education and
Culture, European Commission
Panellists:
Ms Veronika Schnstein, Project Manager,
City of Freiburg, Germany
Mr Dimitrios Raftopoulos, Director of Lifelong
Learning Research Institute, Greece
Mr Klitos Symeonides, President of Cyprus Adult
Education Association, Cyprus
Mr Ramn Martnez de Murguia Urreta,
Director of Training and Learning, Ministry of
Education, Basque Government, Spain
The Regional Forum on Europe and North America
recognised that the concept of a learning society has
become a considerable universal phenomenon in
Europe and North America. Cyprus and Spain provided
examples of recently developed lifelong learning
policies. Mr Symeonides presented Cyprus expansion
of learning opportunities for workers and migrants. The
government also facilitates cooperation across regions
and cities to promote lifelong learning. Mr Martnez
highlighted his governments commitment to achieving
the highest level of training in the Basque Country.
The Lifelong Learning Act provides a legal foundation
for lifelong learning policy in the Basque Country and
includes the provision of various learning opportunities,
such experienced schools to help older people enter
the job market.
The forum also acknowledged the importance of
lifelong learning and skill development to respond
to the ongoing economic crisis, ageing societies, and
broader economic and social inequality in Europe. Mr
Raftopoulos urged the European Union to train and
re-train older workers, particularly in new information
16
and communication technology. This would ensure

valuable skills for older citizens and challenge
stereotypes about their learning capacity.
Ms Schnstein asserted that all stakeholders
should be involved in promoting lifelong learning,
taking Freiburgs Lernen vor Ort [Learning locally]
programme as an example. She emphasized the
importance of developing systematic and structured
activities, communicating information and outcomes
on the basis of a cross-sectorial collaboration.
Participants recognised the relevance of Strategic
Framework for European Cooperation in Education
and Training (ET 2020) and the need to promote
lifelong learning culture in spite of the high level of
participation in learning. Furthermore, the quality of
training and education systems should be improved to
foster social cohesion and active citizenship.
5. Regional Forum on Latin America and the Caribbean
Moderator: Mr Luis Mara Scasso, General Director
for Cooperation and Lifelong Education,
Organization of Iberoamerican States (OEI)
Panellists:
Ms Blanca Mara Cayo Quintana, Metropolitan
Councillor of Lima, Peru
Mr Jos Simes De Almeida Junior, Secretary of
Education, City Hall of Sorocaba, So Paulo, Brazil
Ms Mara Carmen Hidalgo Baeza, Coordinator,
Sustainable Development in the Villages of
Knowledge, International Relations Directorate
of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Paraguay
violence, and poverty. Ms Hidalgo presented Villages

of Knowledge as a good example of this approach. This
is a literacy programme for indigenous people aiming
to strengthen individuals capacity to become lifelong
learners and active citizens. The government has built
six schools through the project, which are managed by
local leaders and residents.
The participants pointed out that along with indigenous
peoples, migrant workers should be a priority for
education and learning opportunities. Mr De Almeida
introduced the Cultural Centres of Sorocaba, Brazil, an
organisation that distributes books to all citizens, and
has developed cultural activities to encourage learning
in public spaces.
In Lima, cultural centres aim to increase the sense of
belonging through community education. Ms Cayo
presented the citys Building a Child-Friendly City
project. The project includes public events where
everyone can participate and learn how to become
active citizens.
A particular concern was youth empowerment. Youth
remain the most marginalised group in the region
and governments need to find mechanisms to engage
them in quality learning processes. The participants
highlighted the importance of better learning
environments, including more schools, better teacher
training, and improved funding. Participants also
emphasised the need to integrate ICTs into education to
meet the demands of the modern job market.
D. Mayors Forum
Moderator: Ms Imee Marcos,
Governor of Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Panellists:
Mr Xian Lianping, Representative of Mayor of
Beijing Municipal Government, China
Mr Sampo Suihko, Vice Mayor, Espoo, Finland
Ms Raghd Shehada, Member of the City
Council in Hebron Municipality, Palestine
Ms Pusadee Tamthai, Deputy Governor of Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration, Thailand
Mr Jean Sony Pierre, Mayor of la Croix-des-
Bouquets, Haiti
The Regional Forum on Latin America and the

Caribbean focused on successful experiences in
building learning cities and promoting lifelong learning
in the region. Many cities in this region have a strong
tradition of popular education, expanding learning
opportunities to combat high levels of social inequality,
The purpose of the Mayors Forum was to establish

best practices and strategies to champion lifelong
learning for all in cities. There is growing political
recognition that lifelong learning is vital to sustainable
development in urban areas. Developing a lifelong
learning system needs political will and commitment.
17
Chaired by Ms Marcos, the forum offered mayors and

educational executives the opportunity to present
their strategies and actions for implementing lifelong
learning.
Beijing is promoting lifelong learning by transforming
itself into a sustainable learning city. Mr Xian from
Beijing identified lifelong learning strategies as a
high priority for sustainable development. Measures
include general access to lifelong learning through
government support, lifelong learning systems and
learning organisations. He also emphasized the close
link between lifelong learning and the municipalitys
development plan.
Finland is recognized as a country with one of the
highest levels of participation in lifelong learning.
Mr Suihko from Espoo explained some of the factors
underlying his countrys excellent performance in
lifelong learning: a strong formal education system,
which includes open access to education; a studentcentred system; well trained teachers; decentralized
decision-making; and a high level of appreciation of
education in society.
Espoo aims to make the joy of learning part of every
citizens experience. The Regional Centre of Expertise in
Sustainable Development has worked with partners to
influence attitudes and to support changes in everyday practices, putting the focus on lifelong learning.
The municipality has implemented specialised local
programmes, such as the Annual Tree Planting Day, and
health and sustainable lifestyle initiatives, including a
gardening programme for all learners.
Hebron is one of the worlds oldest cities with
rich cultural assets. Ms Shehada spoke about the
importance of lifelong learning and reinforcing
comprehensive interactive learning centres to preserve
the history, tradition and heritage of the city.
Ms Tamthai illustrated that a learning city creates
educational, cultural, athletic and recreational activities
to make full use of its human and physical resources.
She mentioned that Bangkok, as the UNESCOdesignated World Book Capital for 2013, is an example
of Bangkok Metropolitan Administrations initiative to
promote lifelong learning.
Mr Pierre from la Croix-des-Bouquets shared why
educational technology is critical to understanding a
citys potential. He suggested conducting empirical
studies to define community according to the cultural
characteristics of a city.
Although the definition of lifelong learning and its
targets vary according to their context, many local
authorities consider lifelong learning policy as a priority
18 Conference Inputs and Discussion
in their sustainable development agenda, an idea

repeated several times in the forum. It was also widely
recognised that lifelong learning not only encompasses
education but is related to social, political, economic
and health issues. Therefore, the panellists highlighted
the need for local governments to deploy a full range
of resources, and emphasized that each citys unique
culture is the essential ingredient to promote lifelong
learning for all citizens.
E. Open Marketplace
Moderator: Mr Valerio Giuseppe Ricciardelli,
Managing Director, FESTO Didactic in Italy
This session provided collaborating partners with an
opportunity to showcase their activities related to
the conference theme and to build relationships and
networks while promoting lifelong learning in their
organisations.
The session brought together experts from the private
sector and universities. The participants discussed ways
to ensure the quality of education and support building
learning cities in their regions.
Mr Ricciardelli opened the session by reflecting on the
importance of quality training programmes to increase
industrial productivity and develop the private sector
in the local economy. He illustrated several critical
elements to improve training quality such as analysing
key competencies and job profiles and designing
modular training programmes.
Participants stressed the need for specialised training
for teachers and educators to be incorporated into
the development of learning cities. They affirmed
the importance of teachers and stated that quality
education begins with quality teachers and suggested
that the Conference Secretariat include this topic in
the follow-up conference. The participants developed
a working definition of a teacher or educator in the
21st century. They concluded that a teacher or educator
is someone who knows what to teach and how to
communicate to the new generation.
The paradigm shift in teaching and learning
methodologies was also a major focus of the session.
Participants repeatedly emphasized the changing
role of the teacher. They also noted how technology
is transforming learning settings. The Massive Open
Online Course (MOOC) is an example of how a
teacher-centred approach needs to adapt to a learnerparticipatory context.
F. Closing of the Conference

Master of the ceremonies:
Mr Jean-Marie Ahlin Byll-Cataria,
former Executive Secretary, Association for the
Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)
Speakers:
Ms Shirley Walters, Representative of the
International Council of Adult Education and
Director of the Division for Lifelong Learning,
University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Mr Arne Carlsen, Director of the UNESCO Institute
for Lifelong Learning (UIL)
Mr Seung-il Na, Vice-Minister of Education,
Republic of Korea
Ms Lorraine Kingston, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork,
Ireland
Mr Liu Limin, Vice-Minister of Education, China
Mr Yang Xiaochao, Deputy Mayor of Beijing
Municipal Government, China
The formal adoption of the outcome documents
took place in this session. The Chair of the Drafting
Committee, Ms Brown Burke, presented the draft of
the Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities. The
participants endorsed by acclamation both the Beijing
Declaration and the Key Features.
The Beijing Declaration affirms the vital importance
of education for the future of human communities. It
also expresses the delegates commitment to the task
of nurturing lifelong learning, in order to empower
individuals, to promote social cohesion, economic
and cultural prosperity, and to foster sustainable
development. It concludes with the following Call to
Action:
1.
We call upon UNESCO to establish a global

network of learning cities to support and
accelerate the practice of lifelong learning in the
worlds communities. This network should promote
policy dialogue and peer learning among member
cities, forge links, foster partnerships, provide
capacity development, and develop instruments to
encourage and recognise progress.
2.
We call upon cities and regions in every part of

the world to join this network, to develop and
implement lifelong learning strategies in their
cities.
3.
We call upon international and regional

network.
4. We call upon national authorities to encourage

international peer learning activities.
5.
We call upon foundations, private corporations

and civil society organisations to become active
partners of the global network of learning cities
drawing on experience gained in private-sector
initiatives.
The General-Rapporteur of the Conference, Ms Walters,

presented her report, examining how each of the items
on the conference agenda had been addressed
[See Appendix D]. She confirmed the following lessons
learned from the conference:

People come first learning cities are by the

people, of the people, for the people
Political leadership, with long term vision, is critical
Advocacy of the centrality of learning throughout
life is very important
It requires good governance
A holistic approach across ages and sectors is
essential
Social justice for all women, men, and children is
essential
Sustainable cities become learning cities
Empowerment through networks and partnerships
must take place
It is important to bench mark, to measure progress
and to share leading practices
Research and development which takes into
account large data sets which include transport
systems, housing, education, social care, land use,
urbanisation etc. is important, as is the qualitative
and quantitative capturing of learning experiences
and outcomes
Most importantly, there must be an acknowledged
link between social justice and economic
development a narrow focus on the economy will
not yield the results
Following the General-Rapporteurs report, Mr

Carlsen gave the closing address on behalf of Mr Qian
Tang, Assistant Director-General for Education of
UNESCO. He expressed sincere thanks to the Municipal
Government of Beijing and the Ministry of Education of
China for hosting and organising the conference, and to
all participants for opening a new chapter in building
learning cities. He stated that UNESCO would play a
leading role and would endeavour to implement both
outcome documents.
As the representative of the conferences ViceChairperson, Mr Na congratulated the organisers on
the successful event. He affirmed Member States
responsibility to develop learning cities and to spread
19
lifelong learning culture. He pledged, on behalf of the

Korean Government, to share the Republic of Koreas
extensive experience in building learning cities and to
remain committed to lifelong learning.
Ms Kingston, Vice-Chairperson of the Conference in
the Europe region, also thanked UNESCO, the Municipal
Government of Beijing and the Ministry of Education
of China in making the conference a remarkable
opportunity for lifelong learning stakeholders. She
discussed Corks EcoWell Project and asserted the
need for a network that facilitates knowledge and
experience sharing to build sustainable learning cities.
In their closing addresses, Mr Liu and Mr Yang
acknowledged to organisers and participants their
dedication and commitment to the Beijing Declaration
and the Key Features. On behalf of the Chinese host
organisations, Mr Liu stated that Chinese government
will uphold its steadfast leadership and cooperate
with all stakeholders in an effort to achieve the
strategic goal of establishing a basic framework
for building a learning society by 2020. Mr Yang
appreciated the conference as a splendid opportunity
for representatives to exchange experiences and ideas
to build learning cities. Furthermore, he reaffirmed the
determination of the Beijing Municipal Government to
promote the construction of learning cities.
20
G. Study and Cultural Visits

All participants had an opportunity to enjoy a cultural
visit in Beijing on the third day. Participants were
divided into three groups and travelled to different
locations to reinforce their understanding of Beijing as
a learning city in the past and present. The study and
cultural visit destinations included the Imperial College,
the Confucian Temple, the Capital Museum and the
Zhongguancon Science Park, as well as UNESCO World
Heritage sites, such as the Great Wall, the Imperial
Palace and the Summer Palace in Beijing.
Group 1
Imperial College/ Confucius Temple
The Imperial College was the centre of education in
ancient China. It was the highest educational organ in
charge of national education. The Confucius Temple
was where the memorial services for Confucius were
held. These two buildings are outstanding examples of
the education culture of ancient China.
Great Wall
The Great Wall is the worlds largest military structure
with a total length of more than 20,000 kilometres.
It was built from the 3rd century BC to the 17th
century AD. It is considered as a national symbol
of the protection of national security and Chinese

culture from outside invasion. It demonstrates the
architectural, technological and artistic excellence of
ancient China.
Group 2
Capital Museum
The Capital Museum is the historical and cultural
heart of China. It exhibits 5,622 pieces of historical
significance. It also possesses rich collections of
old Beijing folk customs and Beijings modern art. It
represents the endeavour of the Beijing Municipal
Government to be the cultural capital of the world.
It also serves as the research centre of archaeology,
cultural exchange centre, educational institute for the
public and youth, and facility where ceremonies and
rituals are held.
Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace was the emperors residence
from the 15th to 20th century. It is also known as the
Forbidden City. It is a combination of construction
techniques and architectural art from the Ming and
Qing dynasties. There are scenic gardens and buildings
with around 10,000 rooms and a million pieces of
furniture and works of art.
Group 3
Zhongguancon Science Park
The Zhongguancun Science Park is the first high-tech
park in China. It is the technical hub with the highest
concentration of talent and educational resources
and is referred to as Chinas Silicon Valley. Many big
companies such as Stone Group, Founder Group, and
Lenovo Group started in Zhongguancun.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is the formal royal palace that has
a beautiful harmony between natural landscape and
traditional architecture from the Qing Dynasty. The
palace is divided into three parts: the administrative
area, the residence and the recreation area. It is an
outstanding example of the oriental garden style that
has had a substantial impact on garden design and
culture.
III. Conference Outcomes
The conference adopted two outcome documents:

the Beijing Declaration on Developing Learning Cities,
and the Key Features of Learning Cities. After the
conference, Mr Qian Tang, UNESCOs Assistant DirectorGeneral for Education, officially dispatched both
documents to all 195 National Commissions of UNESCO
Member States and their Permanent Delegations
to UNESCO. He also invited them to forward these
documents to the concerned national and municipal
authorities to follow up on the conference outcomes.
UIL will disseminate the outcome documents to the
national authorities of UNESCO Member States and
partners in the six UN languages (Arabic, Chinese,
English, French, Russian and Spanish).
A. Beijing Declaration on Building

Learning Cities
Lifelong Learning for All: Promoting Inclusion,
Prosperity and Sustainability in Cities
Preamble
We, the participants at the International Conference
on Learning Cities, co-organised by UNESCO, the
Ministry of Education of China and Beijing Municipal
Government (Beijing, 2123 October 2013) declare as
follows:
We recognise that we live in a complex, fast-changing
world where social, economic and political norms
are constantly redefined. Economic growth and
employment, urbanization, demographic change,
scientific and technological advances, cultural diversity
and the need to maintain human security and public
safety represent just a few of the challenges to the
governance and sustainability of societies.
We affirm that, in order to empower citizens
understood as all residents of cities and communities
we must strive to give them access to and encourage
their use of a broad array of learning opportunities
throughout their lives.
We believe that learning improves quality of life, equips

citizens to anticipate and tackle new challenges, and
helps build better and more sustainable societies.
We acknowledge that the concept of learning
throughout life is not new; it is an integral feature of
human development and is deeply rooted in all cultures
and civilisations.
We maintain that lifelong learning confers social,
economic and cultural benefits to individual learners
and communities and should be a primary focus
of cities, regions, nations and the international
community.
We acknowledge that the majority of the worlds
population now resides in cities and urban regions, and
that this trend is accelerating. As a result, cities and
urban regions play an ever greater role in national and
global development.
We recognise that learning communities, learning
cities and learning regions are pillars of sustainable
development.
We accept that international and regional
organisations, as well as national governments, have
a vital role to play in developing learning societies.
However, we are aware that this development must be
rooted in sub-national regions, cities and all types of
community.
We know that cities play a significant role in promoting
social inclusion, economic growth, public safety and
environmental protection. Therefore, cities should be
both architects and executors of strategies that foster
lifelong learning and sustainable development.
We acknowledge that cities differ in their cultural and
ethnic composition, heritage and social structures.
However, many characteristics of a learning city are
common to all. A learning city mobilises human and
other resources to promote inclusive learning from
basic to higher education; it revitalises learning in
families and communities; it facilitates learning for and
in the workplace; it extends the use of modern learning
Conference Outcomes 23
Commitments
3. Promoting sustainable development

To ensure the future viability of communities, natural
resources must be used in ways that ensure a good
quality of life for future generations. Sustainable
development cannot be achieved through technological
solutions, political regulations or fiscal incentives alone.
It requires fundamental changes in the way people
think and act. Lifelong learning is a necessary part of
making this change.
We commit ourselves to the following actions, which

have the power to transform our cities:
In developing learning cities, we will promote

sustainable development by:
1. Empowering individuals and promoting social

cohesion
In todays cities, individual empowerment and social
cohesion are crucial to the well-being of citizens;
fostering participation, trust, connectedness and civic
engagement. To equip citizens to anticipate and tackle
the challenges of urbanisation, cities should attach
great importance to individual empowerment and
social cohesion.
technologies; it enhances quality in learning; and it

nurtures a culture of learning throughout life.
We envision that a learning city will facilitate individual
empowerment, build social cohesion, nurture active
citizenship, promote economic and cultural prosperity,
and lay the foundation for sustainable development.
In developing learning cities, we support individual

empowerment and social cohesion by:

ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity to

become literate and obtain basic skills;
encouraging and enabling individuals to actively
participate in the public life of their city;
guaranteeing gender equality; and
creating a safe, harmonious and inclusive
community.
2. Enhancing economic development and cultural

prosperity
While economic development plays a fundamental
role in increasing standards of living and maintaining
the economic health of cities, cultural prosperity is a
powerful contributor to quality of life. As a repository
of knowledge, meaning and values, culture defines the
way people live and interact within communities.
In developing learning cities, we will enhance economic
development and cultural prosperity by:

stimulating inclusive and sustainable economic

growth;
reducing the proportion of citizens living in
poverty;
creating employment opportunities for all citizens;
actively supporting science, technology and
innovation;
ensuring access to diverse cultural activities; and
encouraging participation in leisure and physical
recreation.
24 Conference Outcomes
reducing the negative impacts of economic and

other human activities on the natural environment;
protecting the natural environment and enhancing
the liveability of our cities; and
promoting sustainable development through active
learning in all settings.
4. Promoting inclusive learning in the education

system
All citizens, regardless of ability, gender and sexuality,
social background, language, ethnicity, religion
or culture should have equal access to learning
opportunities. If a person is excluded from participating
in the education system, their ability to develop as
individuals and contribute to their communities may be
impaired.
In developing learning cities, we will promote inclusive
learning in the education system by:

expanding access to early childhood care and

education;
expanding access to formal education from
primary to tertiary level;
expanding access to and participation in adult
education and technical and vocational education
and training;
systems in order to offer diverse learning
opportunities and meet a range of proficiencies;
and
providing support for marginalized groups,
including migrant families, to ensure access to
education.
5. Revitalising learning in families and communities

Lifelong learning is not confined to educational or
business settings. It infuses the entire life of a city. In
most societies, the family is an especially important
setting for learning. Learning in families and local
communities builds social capital and improves the
quality of life.
In developing learning cities, we will revitalise learning

in families and local communities by:

establishing community-based learning spaces and

providing resources for learning in families and
communities;
ensuring, through consultation, that community
education and learning programmes respond to
the needs of all citizens;
motivating people to participate in family and
community learning, giving special attention to
vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, such as
families in need, migrants, people with disabilities,
minorities and third-age learners; and
recognising community history and culture, and
indigenous ways of knowing and learning as
unique and precious resources.
6. Facilitating learning for and in the workplace

Due to globalization, technological advancement and
the growth of knowledge-based economies, most
adults need to regularly enhance their knowledge and
skills. In turn, private and public organisations need to
embrace a culture of learning.
8. Enhancing quality in learning

It is not sufficient for lifelong learning policies
and practices to focus on increasing numbers of
participants. In many cities, there is a disparity between
the numbers of people participating in education
and learning and those who succeed in mastering
relevant, portable skills and competences. Quality is,
therefore, of utmost importance. In particular, there
is an acute need to foster skills, values and attitudes
that will enable people to overcome religious, linguistic
and cultural differences, to coexist peacefully, and to
discover shared human, moral and ethical principles.
In developing learning cities, we attach great
importance to enhancing quality in learning by:

In developing learning cities, we will facilitate learning

for and in the workplace by:
helping public and private organisations to

become learning organisations;
ensuring that all members of the workforce,
including migrant workers, have access to a broad
array of learning opportunities;
encouraging employers and trade unions to
support workplace learning; and
providing appropriate learning opportunities for
unemployed youth and adults.
7. Extending the use of modern learning technologies

Information and communication technologies (ICT)
particularly the Internet have opened up new
possibilities for learning and education. Modern cities
must enable all citizens to use these technologies for
learning and self-empowerment.
In developing learning cities, we will extend the use of
modern learning technologies by:

developing policy environments favourable to the

use of ICT in learning;
training administrators, teachers and educators to
use technologies that enhance learning;
expanding citizens access to ICT tools and learning
programmes; and
developing quality e-learning resources.
promoting a paradigm shift from teaching

to learning, and from the mere acquisition of
information to the development of creativity and
learning skills;
raising awareness of shared moral, ethical and
cultural values, and promoting tolerance of
differences;
employing appropriately trained administrators,
teachers and educators;
fostering a learner-friendly environment in which
learners have, as far as practicable, ownership of
their own learning; and
providing support to learners with special needs, in
particular those with learning difficulties.
9. Fostering a culture of learning throughout life

Most people today experience a variety of learning
environments. When the outcomes of all learning
are valued, rewarded and celebrated by a city, this
strengthens the position of learners in society and
motivates them to learn further. This motivation
should be supported by the provision of comprehensive
information and advice to help people make informed
learning choices.
In developing learning cities, we will foster a vibrant
culture of learning throughout life by:

recognising the role of communications media,

libraries, museums, religious settings, sports and
cultural centres, community centres, parks and
similar places as learning spaces;
organising and supporting public events that
encourage and celebrate learning;
providing adequate information, guidance and
support to all citizens, and stimulating them to
learn through diverse pathways; and
acknowledging the importance of learning in
informal and non-formal settings and developing
systems that recognize and reward all forms of
learning.
10. Strengthening political will and commitment

It takes strong political will and commitment to
successfully build a learning city. Politicians and
administrators have primary responsibility for
commiting political resources to realising the vision of a
learning city.
In developing learning cities, we will strengthen
political will and commitment by:

demonstrating strong political leadership and

making a steadfast commitment to turning our
cities into learning cities;
developing and implementing well grounded and
participatory strategies for promoting lifelong
learning for all; and
consistently monitoring progress towards
becoming a learning city.
11. Improving governance and participation of all

stakeholders
All sectors of society have a key role to play in learning
and education and should participate in building
learning cities. However, stakeholders and citizens are
more likely to contribute to building learning cities if
decisions are made in a participatory way.
In developing learning cities, we will improve
governance and participation of all stakeholders by:

establishing inter-sectoral coordination

mechanisms to involve governmental and nongovernmental organisations and the private sector
in building learning cities;
developing bilateral or multilateral partnerships
between sectors in order to share resources and
increase the availability of learning opportunities;
and
encouraging all stakeholders to provide quality
learning opportunities and to make their own
unique contribution to building a learning city;
12. Boosting resource mobilisation and utilisation

Cities and communities that embrace lifelong learning
for all have seen significant improvements in terms of
public health, economic growth, reduced criminality
and increased democratic participation. These wider
benefits of lifelong learning present strong arguments
for increased investment in the building of learning
cities.
In developing learning cities, we will boost resource
mobilisation and utilisation by:

encouraging greater financial investment in

lifelong learning by government, civil society,
private sector organisations and individuals;
making effective use of the learning resources of

all stakeholders and developing innovative funding
mechanisms to support lifelong learning for all;
removing structural barriers to learning, adopting
pro-poor funding policies and providing various
types of support to disadvantaged groups;
encouraging citizens to contribute their talents,
skills, knowledge and experience on a voluntary
basis; and
encouraging the exchange of ideas, experiences
and best practice between organisations in
different cities.
Call to Action
Numerous places already define themselves as
learning cities or regions. They are keen to benefit from
international policy dialogue, action research, capacity
building and peer learning, and to apply successful
approaches to promoting lifelong learning. Therefore,
1.
We call upon UNESCO to establish a global

network of learning cities to support and
accelerate the practice of lifelong learning in
the worlds communities. This network should
promote policy dialogue and peer learning among
member cities, forge links, foster partnerships,
provide capacity development, and develop
instruments to encourage and recognise progress.
2. We call upon cities and regions in every part of
the world to join this network, to develop and
implement lifelong learning strategies in their
cities.
3. We call upon international and regional
network.
4. We call upon national authorities to encourage
international peer learning activities.
5. We call upon foundations, private corporations
and civil society organisations to become active
partners of the global network of learning cities
drawing on experience gained in private-sector
initiatives.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful for the generous hospitality and
steadfast leadership of the Chinese Ministry of
Education and the Beijing Municipal Government in coorganising this Conference. We also acknowledge the
achievements of the Beijing Municipal Government in
transforming the vibrant Chinese capital into a learning
city.
We thank the Ministry of Education of China, National

Commission of China for UNESCO, FESTO Didactic,
DVV International, Kings Group, Organization of
Iberoamerican States (OEI), and the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation (SDC) for financially
supporting the participation of delegates from lowerincome countries.
B. Key Features of Learning Cities

1. Introductory Note
Several approaches have been taken in recent years to
translate the concept of a learning society into reality.
One significant example is the growth of learning
communities, learning cities and learning regions.
Although the idea of a learning city has mostly been
conceptualised in developed countries, facilitated by the
OECD since the 1980s and the European Commission
since the 1990s, it is now rapidly gaining momentum
in developing countries. In more and more Member
States, local authorities now claim to be learning cities/
regions/communities. Their proliferation has become
a major worldwide phenomenon, with considerable
educational, social, economic and environmental
implications.
What is a Learning City?
Cities differ in their cultural and ethnic composition,
in their heritage and social structures. However, many
characteristics of a learning city are common to all. The
initiative on learning cities developed by the UNESCO
Institute for Lifelong Learning defines a learning city as
follows:
A Learning City is a city which effectively
mobilises its resources in every sector to

promote inclusive learning from basic to

higher education;
re-vitalise learning in families and
communities;
facilitate learning for and in the workplace;
extend the use of modern learning
technologies;
enhance quality and excellence in learning;
and
foster a culture of learning throughout life.
In so doing it will create and reinforce individual

empowerment and social cohesion, economic and
cultural prosperity, and sustainable development.
Why monitor progress in developing learning cities?

Since a learning city facilitates lifelong learning for all,
and therefore helps to realize the universal right to
education, building such a city has far-reaching appeal.
This is a continuous process; there is no magic line over
which a city will pass in order to become known as a
learning city. There are, however, attributes by which
a learning city can be recognized, mainly in terms of
what it does rather than what it is. The construction
of a learning city entails an operational and pragmatic
approach to the implementation of lifelong learning. It
is not an abstract theory. If a city has the political will
and commitment to build a learning city, it will also
need a set of indicators or key features against which it
can monitor its progress.
Put simply, monitoring the progress of a learning city
is necessary for three main reasons:

To transform political and theoretical discourses

into concrete strategies and approaches;
To measure progress over time; and
To evaluate the benefits of the strategies it has put
into place
The Key Features of Learning Cities will make it

possible:

To support in a meaningful way the development

of lifelong learning within and across member
cities;
To determine up to a certain level how
much progress is being made to implement
lifelong learning for all in many of the worlds
communities; and
To facilitate international comparative analysis and
experience-sharing and mutual learning among
member cities.
The development of the Key Features of Learning

Cities
This normative instrument for measuring learning cities
is the result of a long consultation process. Initially,
UIL held a workshop on developing a framework for
the Key Features of Learning Cities from 3 to 5 July
2012. Experts representing some of the partners
for the establishment of IPLC, including the PASCAL
Observatory, Bertelsmann Foundation, CISCO Systems,
Beijing Municipal Education Commission, National
Centre of Education Development Research of China,
Kuwait University and the Cape Higher Education
Consortium, as well as some UIL professional staff and
consultants, participated in the workshop.
This workshop first of all drew inspiration from the

following well-established conceptual frameworks
and indicators for measuring social and economic
development:
Based on the expert groups validation, UIL selected

a number of cities in each of the UNESCO regions for
piloting, which was completed in September 2013.
The Key features reflect the results of the piloting.
Components of the framework of the Key Features

of Learning Cities
The Human Development Index (HDI) and related

indices developed by UNDP (2007);
The Revised Official Monitoring Framework for the
Millennium Development Goals: goals, targets and
indicators (UN, 2008);
The Knowledge Assessment Methodology: Variables
and Clusters by the World Bank (2012);
The Better Life Index by OECD (2012);
The Future We Want RIO+20 Report (UN, 2012);
A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty
And Transform Economies Through Sustainable
Development (UN, 2013); and
Post-2015 Development Agenda: Goals, Targets and
Indicators (The Centre for International Governance
Innovation and the Korea Development Institute,
2012).
Inspired by a list of criteria for indicators developed in

the UN report Analysing and Measuring Social Inclusion
in a Global Context (UN, 2010), the following criteria
were endorsed at the workshop to develop the Key
Features of Learning Cities.

Ambitious but achievable achieving the target

should represent significant progress but should
also be realistic.
Crucial every feature reflects a value, a priority or
a critical issue.
Relevant a feature must fit its intended purpose;
achieving the target should contribute significantly
to meeting a key objective.
Clear and understandable a feature must be
simple and easy for all stakeholders to understand,
and should make sense to the average person.
Easy to measure a feature should be measured by
available data, or by data to be collected through a
well-designed survey.
Valid and reliable people must trust the
information that a feature provides.
As a result of intensive debates and group work, the

workshop produced the first draft of the framework
of the Key Features of Learning Cities. Taking the
comments from experts into consideration, UIL has
produced a draft which was presented in the 1st
meeting of the Expert Group for Developing Learning
Cities in Hangzhou, China. In April and May 2013, UIL
consulted some experts and a number of cities on the
relevance of the key features and the feasibility of data
collection. On 45 June 2013, UIL held a second meeting
in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The participants of the
meeting elaborated further on the draft Key Features of
Learning Cities.
As shown in Figure 1, the framework of the Key Features

of Learning Cities corresponds to the pediments,
columns and foundation steps of the UNESCO logo.
The Pediment three areas of focus reflect the wider
benefits of building a modern learning city, broadly
defined as:
(1) Individual empowerment and social cohesion;
(2) Economic development and cultural prosperity; and
(3) Sustainable development.
The Columns six areas of focus reflect the major
building blocks of a learning city:
(1) Inclusive learning in the education system;
(2) Re-vitalised learning in families and communities;
(3) Effective learning for and in the workplace;
(4) Extended use of modern learning technologies;
(5) Enhanced quality in learning; and
(6) A vibrant culture of learning throughout life.
The Foundational Steps three areas of focus reflect
the fundamental conditions for building a learning city:
(1) Strong political will and commitment;
(2) Governance and participation of all stakeholders; and
(3) Mobilisation and utilisation of resources.
A total of 42 features are included in the Key Features
of Learning Cities. Most of the features are quantitative,
and related statistics can be provided by the responsible
city authorities. As for qualitative features, some can
be measured by the results of a survey conducted by
independent professional agencies such as Gallop,
while others can be measured through expert review of
reports provided by the responsible city authorities.
The objective is not to make distinctions between cities.
Each city is different and its progress towards a learning
city can only be measured within the context of its own
cultural, economic and social history and traditions.
How to use the Key Features of Learning Cities
Formally endorsed by mayors and city education
executives of learning cities as well as experts
participating in the International Conference on
Learning Cities, the Key Features can serve as a
comprehensive checklist of action points to help
Figure 1: The Framework of the Key Features of Learning Cities
Fundamental
conditions
for building a
learning city
A vibrant culture of
learning throughout life
Enhanced quality and

excellence in learning
Extended use of modern

learning technolgies
Effective learning for

and in the workplace
Re-vitalised learning in
families and communities
Major building
blocks of a
learning city
Sustainable development
Inclusive learning in the

education system
Wider benefits
of building a
learning city
d
Ec o n
o mi c
n t an
erme
d
w
o
c
p
ul tu e v e l o p m
n
m
r al p
u a l e l c o h e si o
d
i
r o sp e n t an d
v
i
In d
eri t y
s o cia
Lifelong Learning for All
is our citys future
Strong political will and commitment

Governance and participation of all stakeholders
Mobilisation and utilisation of resources
municipal governments and other stakeholders of cities

in their efforts to build learning cities that promote
lifelong learning for all.
Furthermore, as the members of a global network of
learning cities need to be recommended by UNESCO
Member States, the national authorities of the
Member States can use the Key Features to select and
recommend cities to join the network.
More generally, the Key Features can also be used as a
reference document for international organisations and
national authorities in promoting the development of
learning nations, regions, cities and communities.
2. List of key features and measurement

Area of focus
Key features
Possible measurements
Source of data
Statistical data in 2012 or

survey/review results
1. Wider benefits of building a learning city

1.1
Empowering
individuals
and promoting
social cohesion
1.1.1
Ensuring
that every
citizen has the
opportunity to
become literate
and obtain
basic skills
Adult literacy rate: Total number Official data

of literate persons aged 15 and
provided by city
above, expressed as a percentage authorities
of the total population of that
age group
1.1.2
Encouraging
and enabling
individuals
to actively
participate in
the public life
of their city
Participation rate in election:

Participation rate of population
of eligible age in the most recent
major election in the city
1.1.3
Guaranteeing
gender equality
Male
Female
Total
Official data
provided by city
authorities
%
(Year)
Participation in volunteering and Survey results

community activities: Percentage
of citizens involved in unpaid
volunteering and community
activities in the 12 months
preceding the survey
Gender equality in politics:
Percentage of seats held by
women in city council/congress
Official data
provided by city
authorities
Gender equality in business

Survey results
management: Percentage of
seats held by women in boards of
top 10 enterprises
1.2
Enhancing
economic
development
and cultural
prosperity
1.1.4
Creating a safe,
harmonious
and inclusive
community
Crime level: Number of recorded

crimes per 100,000 inhabitants
Official data
provided by city
authorities
Social mobility: Percentage of

citizens with disadvantaged
social background who believe
that their children will enjoy
higher social status than
themselves
Survey results
1.2.1
Stimulating
inclusive and
sustainable
economic
growth
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

per capita: Total value produced
(adjusted for purchasing power
parity in US$) within a city
divided by the total number of
inhabitants
Official data
provided by city
authorities
Urban poverty: Percentage of

citizens living below US $1.25 a
day (PPP) at 2005 international
prices
Official data
provided by city
authorities
1.2.2
Creating
employment
opportunities
for all citizens
Unemployment rate:
Unemployed working age
population (15 years or older) as
a percentage of the total labour
force
Official data
provided by city
authorities
1.2.3
Actively
supporting
science,
technology and
innovation
Human resources in science and

technology (HRST): Professionals
working in a science and
technology occupation as a
percentage of total employment
Official data
provided by city
authorities
Patent filing: Number of new

patents per 100,000 inhabitants
Official data
provided by city
authorities
US$
Male
Female
Total
%
%
Area of focus
Key features
Source of data

1. Wider benefits of building a learning city
1.3
Promoting
sustainable
development
1.2.4
Ensuring
access to
diverse cultural
activities
Participation in cultural
activities: Number of visits to
museums, theatres, cinemas,
concert halls and sporting events
per inhabitant per month
1.2.5
Encouraging
participation
in leisure
and physical
recreation
Participation in physical
Survey results
exercise and sports: Percentage
of population participating in
physical exercise or sports no less
than five times a week
1.3.1
Reducing
the negative
impacts of
economic and
other human
activities on
the natural
environment
CO2 emissions: Total CO2

emissions, in tonnes per capita
Official data
provided by city
authorities
No. of
tonnes
Waste management: Total

annual domestic waste collected
and processed, in kg per capita
per year
Official data
provided by city
authorities
Kg per
capita
1.3.2
Enhancing the
liveability of
cities
Living condition: Percentage of

population living in slums
Official data
provided by city
authorities
1.3.3
Promoting
sustainable
development
through active
learning in all
settings
Public transportation: Citizens

satisfaction with the public
transportation system
Official data
provided by city
authorities or
survey results
Survey results
Education for sustainable

development: Effective measures
for promoting sustainable
Experts review
development at all levels of
education
Environmental stewardship:
Citizens perception of their
own behaviours in terms of
environmental responsibility
Survey results
No. of
visits
Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor
2. Major building blocks of a learning city

2.1
Promoting
inclusive
learning in
the education
system
2.1.1
Expanding
access to early
childhood care
and education
Enrolment in pre-primary
education: Net enrolment rate in
pre-primary education (ISCED 0)
2.1.2
Expanding
access to
education from
primary to
tertiary level
Mean years of schooling: Average Official data

number of years of formal
provided by city
schooling received by people
authorities
aged 25 and older
2.1.3
Expanding
access to and
participation in
adult education
and technical
and vocational
education and
training
Participation in adult learning

Survey results
and education: Percentage of
citizens aged 2564 that reported
receiving education/training
in the 12 months preceding the
survey
Official data
provided by city
authorities
Gender
Boys
Girls
Total
Gender
Male
years
Female
years
Total
years
Area of focus
Key features
Source of data

2.2
Revitalising
learning in
families and
communities
2.3
Facilitating
learning for
and in the
workplace
2.1.4
Providing
support for
marginalized
groups,
including
migrant
families, to
ensure access
to education
Support for disadvantaged

groups: Measures adopted by
the city authorities to support
learners from linguistic/ethnic
minorities and disadvantaged
backgrounds
Experts review
Support for senior citizens:

Measures adopted by the city
authorities to support seniorcitizen learners (aged 65 years
and older)
Experts review
2.2.1
Establishing
communitybased learning
spaces and
providing
resources for
learning in
families and
communities
Infrastructure: Number of
Official data
functional community-based
provided by city
learning spaces (including
authorities
community learning centres,
cultural houses and public
libraries) per 100,000 inhabitants
Policy initiative for supporting
learning in families: Availability
of policy to support learning in
families
Experts review
2.2.2
Motivating
people to
participate
in family and
community
learning
Participation in community
learning: Percentage of citizens
participating in community
learning activities on a regular
basis (not less than 2 hours per
week)
Official data
provided by city
authorities
Participation in family learning:

Percentage of citizens engaging
in learning activities in their
families in the 12 months
preceding the survey
Survey results
2.2.3
Recognising
community
history and
culture, and
indigenous
ways of
knowing and
learning as
unique and
precious
resources
Development of learning
Official data
resources through indigenous
provided by city
knowledge: Number of
authorities
learning programmes based on
community history, culture and
indigenous knowledge developed
by the city authorities
2.3.1
Ensuring that
all members of
the workforce,
including
migrant
workers, have
access to a
broad array
of learning
opportunities
Employees participation in
education and training: Employed
peoples participation rate in jobrelated education and training
Official data
provided by city
authorities or
survey results
Migrant workers participation

in education and training:
Existence of intiatives or
strategies adopted by city
to support migrant workers
participation in education and
training
Experts review
Area of focus
Key features
Source of data

2.4
Extending the
use of modern
learning
technologies
2.5
Enhancing
quality in
learning
2.3.2
Helping public
and private
organisations
to become
learning
organisations
Learning organisations: Existence Experts review

of intiatives or strategies to
develop learning organisations
that encourage employees
participation in learning
2.3.3
Encouraging
employers and
trade unions
to support
workplace
learning
Employers financial commitment Official data

to skill development: Total
provided by city
investment in employees
authorities
education and training as a
percentage of the employees
payroll in both the public and
private sectors
2.3.4
Providing
appropriate
learning
opportunities
for unemployed
youth and
adults
Youth involvement in education

and employment: Total number
of youth (aged 1524) not in
education, employment or
training as a percentage of the
total youth population
Official data
provided by city
authorities
Training for the unemployed:

Percentage of the unemployed
enrolled in various employment
training programmes offered in
the city
Official data
provided by city
authorities
2.4.1
Training
administrators,
teachers and
educators
to use
technologies
that enhance
learning
ICT Training for administrators,

Survey results
teachers and educators:
Percentage of teachers/educators
who have received ICT training in
the last 12 months
Schools
Community
learning spaces
2.4.2
Expanding
citizens access
to ICT tools
and learning
programmes
Use of ICT for class activities:

Survey results
Percentage of teachers/educators
who use ICT on a regular basis
for class activities in schools and
community learning spaces
Schools
Community
learning spaces
2.5.1
Promoting a
paradigm shift
in education
and learning
Public sector
Private sector
Mobile penetration rate:

Total number of people with
mobile phone connections
as a percentage of the total
population
Official data
provided by city
authorities
Internet usage: Percentage of

citizens with household or
shared access to the internet
Survey results
Participation in learning through Survey results

the internet: Average number of
hours per week that citizens use
the internet for learning purposes
hours
Paradigm shift in education

and learning: Education policy
to promote a paradigm shift
from teaching to learning, and
from the mere acquisition of
information to the development
of creativity and learning skills
Experts review
Area of focus
Key features
Source of data

2.6
Fostering
a culture
of learning
throughout life
2.5.2
Raising
awareness of
shared moral,
ethical and
cultural values,
and promoting
tolerance of
differences
Learning to live together:

Survey results
Percentage of citizens who
socialized with people from other
cultures on a regular basis
2.5.3
Employing
appropriately
trained
administrators,
teachers and
educators
Availability of appropriately
trained teachers/educators:
Ratio of students/learners to
teachers/educators in preprimary, primary, secondary, and
adult and continuing education
Official data
provided by city
authorities
2.5.4
Fostering a
learner-friendly
environment
Learner-friendly environment:
Percentage of learners satisfied
with their learning environment
Survey results
2.6.1
Organising and
supporting
public events
that encourage
and celebrate
learning
Advocacy for learning: Existence Experts review

of public activities (adult learning
week and learning festivals) and
use of all media to promote and
celebrate learning
2.6.2
Providing
adequate
information,
guidance and
support to all
citizens, and
stimulating
them to learn
through diverse
pathways
Information and services:

Survey results
Percentage of learners satisfied
with the provision of information
and counselling to learners
2.6.3
Developing
systems that
recognize
and reward
all forms of
learning
Recognition and reward of

learning outcomes: Availability
of policy and practice of
recognising, validating and
accrediting all learning
outcomes
Experts review
Pre-primary education
Primary education
Secondary education
Adult and continuing
education
%
%
%
Schools
Community learning
spaces
3. Fundamental conditions for building a learning city

3.1
Strengthening
political
will and
commitment
3.1.1
Demonstrating
strong political
leadership
and making
a steadfast
commitment
to turning
our cities into
learning cities
Leadership: The strength and

commitment of leadership
demonstrated in developing and
implementing the learning city
strategy
Experts review
Area of focus
Key features
Source of data

3.2
Improving
governance and
participation of
all stakeholders
3.3
Boosting
resource
mobilisation
and utilisation
3.1.2
Developing and
implementing
well
grounded and
participatory
strategies for
promoting
lifelong
learning for all
Public policy and strategy:

Legislation, public policy and
strategy for promoting lifelong
learning for all adopted by the
city council/
Experts review
3.1.3
Monitoring
progress
towards
becoming a
learning city
Measures to monitor progress:

Measures adopted by the city
authorties to monitor progress
in developing and implementing
the learning city strategy
Experts review
3.2.1
Establishing
inter-sectoral
coordination
mechanisms
to involve
governmental
and nongovernmental
organisations
and the private
sector
Mechanisms for stakeholder

coordination: The effectiveness
of measures to encourage
stakeholder mobilisation and
coordination in developing
learning cities
Experts review
3.2.2
Encouraging all
stakeholders
to provide
quality learning
opportunities
and to make
their own
unique
contribution
to building a
learning city
Stakeholders participation:
Experts review
Stakeholders commitment, plans
and actions to develop better
and more accessible learning
opportunities within their areas
of responsibility
Private sectors commitment:

Experts review
The existence of partnerships
and cooperation between the
city and the private sectors to
support the learning city strategy
3.3.1
Encouraging
greater
financial
investment
in lifelong
learning by
government
individuals
Financial investment in
education and learning: Public
expenditure on education and
learning as a percentage of the
total city budget
Official data
provided by city
authorities
Distribution of public education

expenditure: Percentage of
public education expenditure
spent at different levels/types of
education
Official data
provided by city
authorities
3.3.2
Making
effective use
of the learning
resources of all
stakeholders to
support lifelong
learning for all
Effiective use of resources:

Innovative ways of mapping
and utilising human, financial,
cultural and other resources
available to city to facilitate
learning in the city
Experts review
Basic education
(ISCED 0 -3)
Adult and continuing

education
Area of focus
Key features
Source of data


3.3.3
Adopting propoor funding
policies and
providing
various types
of support to
disadvantaged
groups
Subsidies to disadvantaged
Experts review
groups: The allocation and
effective use of funds to support
the particpation of disadvantaged
groups in learning
3.3.4
Encouraging
citizens and
residents to
contribute their
talents, skills,
knowledge and
experience on a
voluntary basis
Citizens contribution to helping

other citizens learn: Percentage
of citizens who contribute their
skills, knowledge and experience
to help other citizens learn at
least once a month in the 12
months preceding the survey
Survey results
3.3.5
Encouraging
the exchange
of ideas,
experiences
and best
practice
between
different cities
International partnership:
Progress in facilitating and
utilizing opportunities for
international partnerships and
exchanges with other learning
cities
Experts review
IV. Media Coverage and Feedback
There has been massive and positive coverage of the

International Conference on Learning Cities in media
outlets around the world. Many international, regional
and national organisations and agencies actively
reported the outcomes of the conference within their
network. Furthermore, participants provided positive
feedback to UNESCO on the conference and showed
high expectations for the implementation of the Beijing
Declaration and the Key Features of Learning Cities. It
appears that the follow-up actions are taken in many
cities, such as Cork, Ireland, and Balanga, Philippines.
A. Media Coverage
UNESCO/UIL Press Releases

We need Learning Cities for a Better Future for

All, declares UNESCO Director-General in Beijing,
October 21, 2013
UNESCO Director-General Meets with Premier Li
Keqiang of the Peoples Republic of China, October
22, 2013
The thriving cities of the future will be learning
cities: UNESCO helps shape the future of cities,
November 11, 2013
Coverage in China
English language coverage
China promotes lifelong learning, Peoples Daily,
October 22, 2013
China promotes lifelong learning, China.org.cn,
October 22, 2013
Chinese VP Liu Yandong Emphasizes Lifelong
Learning, Women of China, October 22, 2013
Chinese language coverage

, CCTV, October 22, 2013

, CCTV, October 23, 2013
Coverage in other countries

Canada
China values educational development, lifelong
learning, CanIndia, October 22, 2013
India
China values educational development, lifelong
learning, Prokerala News, October 22, 2013
United States of America
UNESCO Chief Holds Talks With Chinese Premier,
RTT News, October 22, 2013
Coverage by international, regional and national
organisations, agencies and associations
Beijing Municipal Commission of Education
, October 28,
2013 (in Chinese)
East-China Normal University
Snapshot on International Conference on Learning
Cities, November 7, 2013
dvv international
International Conference on Learning Cities in
Beijing, October 21, 2013
Festo Didactic
Festo Didactic as Global Sponsor of UNESCO
Learning Cities, November 28, 2013
International Council for Adult Education (ICAE)
Learning opportunities within 15 minutes walk
from homes of all citizens, Voices Rising, No. 453,
November 15, 2013
PASCAL
First report from the inaugural UNESCO
International Conference on Learning Cities,
Beijing, October 24, 2013
Media Coverage and Feedback 39
The Open University of China

First International Conference of Learning Cities
Held in Beijing and Addressed by Liu Yandong,
November 26, 2013
University of Deusto
The University of Deusto and the Basque
Government take part in the International
Conference on Learning Cities in Beijing, China,
November 12, 2013
Swansea City
Swansea on global learning stage with city giants,
October, 2013
Swansea is first city in UK to pilot UNESCOs
Learning Cities, 29 October 2013
B. Feedback from Participants

The Conference adopted a declaration to establish a
network of cities that will promote lifelong learning.
Congratulations to Mr Arne Carlson and his UIL team
for the excellent work and good results!
Qian TANG, Assistant Director-General for Education,
UNESCO
To provide alternative learning opportunities for

marginalized and disadvantaged groups in Cochin City,
India, Mr Shaji Baby John asked UIL to offer guidance
and support. We are also working out a comprehensive
plan to promote the Global Network of Learning Cities
in other cities in India.
Shaji Baby John, Chairman, Kings Group of Companies
Inviting UIL as the external advisor of the city
government, Mr Joet Garcia mentioned we would like
to know more about your learning city ideas and see
how this can further benefit our city.
Jose Enrique Sandejas Garcia III, Mayor of Balanga,
Philippines
I think we all gained a lot from this conference, and
certainly meeting so many people in the same field as
us was the most valuable outcome...The event provided
many opportunities to exchange ideas and network
with other like-minded experts with an interest in
learning cities.
Steffen Lehmann, Professor and UNESCO Chair in
Sustainable Urban Development for Asia and the
Pacific, University of South Australia, Australia
Dr. Ekbal and I are so grateful for attending the

conference that enriches our knowledge, and exchange
unique experiences in short time. Especially we would
like to apply this system in Egypt.
The Lord Mayor, Catherine Clancy, is hosting a Civic

Reception in December to acknowledge our attendance
and to publicise the Declaration on Learning Cities.
Sawsan El Sherif, Associate Researcher of Social

Research Center-American University, Egypt
Tina Neylon, Coordinator, Cork Lifelong Learning

Festival, Ireland
I would like to submit the results of this conference to

our municipal city council in Maputo as soon as possible
in order to ensure the integration of Maputo City in this
wide movement on Building Learning Cities around the
world.
Sharing the future plan to write articles about the

significance of the declaration and the conference,
Mr Roger Boshier expressed thank you for a splendid
experience in Beijing. I found the entire conference
immensely enjoyable and value the contacts made
there.
Simao Mucavele, Councillor of Education, Culture and

Sport, Maputo City Municipality, Mozambique
Roger Boshier, Emeritus Professor, Department

of Educational Studies, the University of British
Columbia, Canada
It has been a pleasure to share this experience of joint
work. Hope we can continue working together looking
for a better education for all.
40 Media Coverage and Feedback
Luis Mara Scasso, Director General for Cooperation

and Lifelong Education, the Organization of IberoAmerican States for Education, Science and Culture
(OEI)
Ms Mara Nadiezhda Robles Villaseor congratulated
UNESCO and UIL on its success in leading the
international community to promote lifelong
learning for all and showed a high interest in the next
conference.
Mara Nadiezhda Robles Villaseor, Minister of
Education, Mexico City, Mexico
It was well organised and there was a good balance
of presentations and interactions which made it a
great learning experience for the participants. As a
follow-up action from us in ASPBAE, we are sharing
the main points of the Beijing declaration, key features
document, good/best practices shared from the
different countries, and the conference summary
during our consultation workshop next week in
Jakarta, Indonesia with our partner education advocacy
coalitions from the Asia Pacific region.
Maria Helen Dabu, Capacity Development and
Advocacy Adviser, Asia South Pacific Association for
Basic and Adult Education
Describing the conference as a great historical
moment , Ms Lydia Zhou, on behalf of Intel, stated Big
congratulations to UIL for a great & successful meeting
held in Beijing to promote lifelong learning. We wish
UIL will continuously lead the role to promote the
lifelong learning.
Lydia Zhou, PRC K-12 Education Programme Manager,
Intel
Media Coverage and Feedback 41
V. Appendices
A. Conference Agenda
Time
Activity
Sunday 20 October
9:00 17:30
Arrival and registration

Venue: Lobby of Beijing International Hotel
Monday 21 October
8:30 9:10
Opening Ceremony
Venue: Grant Hall A on the 3rd Floor (for all plenary sessions and the Mayors Forum)
Master of Ceremonies: Mr Yuan Guiren, Minister of Education of China
Opening addresses:
Mr Wang Anshun, Mayor of Beijing Municipal Government, China
Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General, UNESCO
Ms Liu Yandong, Vice-Premier of China
Languages: Chinese, English, French and Spanish (for all plenary sessions and the
Mayors Forum)
9:15 10:00
Introduction to Conference preparation and Conference Agenda

Mr Arne Carlsen, Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL),
Secretary-General of the Conference
Adoption of Conference Agenda
Election of the Chair and Vice-Chairs, General-Rapporteur of the Conference, and
Drafting Committee
10:00 10:30
Tea break
10:30 12:30
Plenary session (1): Making a case for building a learning city

Moderator: Mr Walter Hirche, President of the German National Commission for
UNESCO, Germany
Keynote address: Build the Learning City to pursue a Life-long Education for All
Ms Lu Xin, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Education of China
42 Appendices
Time
Activity
Monday 21 October
10:30 12:30
Panellists
Planning and design for sustainable urban mobility: Ms Mariko Sato, Chief,
UN-HABITAT Bangkok
Sustainable Green Cities are Learning Cities: Learning to live sustainably in a world
of finite resources: Mr Steffen Lehmann, UNESCO Chair, Professor of the University of
South Australia, Australia
Lifelong learning for individual empowerment and social inclusion: Ms Graciela
Messina, International Consultant, Argentina
Smart Cities and Human Resources Development: Mr George D Thomas, Partner &
Director, Smarter Cities & Growth Initiatives, Greater China Group, IBM
12:30 14:00
Lunch
14:00 15:30
Plenary session (2): The building blocks of a learning city

Moderator: Mr Gwang-Jo Kim, Director of UNESCO Bangkok
Keynote address: ICT and lifelong learning
Mr James Bernard, Global Director, Partners in Learning, Microsoft Corporation
Panellists:
Development of lifelong learning in Europe: Ms Dana-Carmen Bachmann, Head of Unit,
Vocational training and adult education, Directorate General Education and Culture,
European Commission
Transforming Education in the Digital Era: Mr Jun Ge, Managing Director, Intel China
Ltd.
Skills Development for Sustainable Economies: Mr Nader Imani, Head of Global
Education, FESTO Didactic
15:30 16:00
Tea break
16:00 17:30
Plenary session (3): The major strategies for building a learning city
Moderator: Ms Benita Carole Somerfield, International Chair of the U.S. Library of Congress
Literacy Awards (2013), former Executive Director of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family
Literacy (1988-2012), United States of America
Keynote address: The Rise of Lifelong Learning Cities in the Republic of Korea
Ms Un Shil Choi, President, National Institute for Lifelong Education (NILE), Republic of
Korea
Panellists:
Putting the idea of learning cities into action in Africa: Ms Constance Chigwamba,
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Zimbabwe
The role of research and collaboration in promoting the learning city: Mr Michael
Osborne, Co-Director of PASCAL Observatory, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Assessment of learning cities/regions: Mr Ron Faris, President, Golden Horizon Ventures,
Canada
The development of Green City indicators in the International Community: Mr Zhou
Zheng, Senior Consultant/Acting City Account Manager of East China, Siemens
18:00 20:30
Reception and cultural activities
Appendices 43
Time
Activity
Tuesday 22 October
9:00 10:30
Plenary session (4): Introduction to the draft Beijing Declaration on Developing Learning
Cities and Key Features of Learning Cities
Moderator: Mr Heribert Hinzen, Regional Director of dvv international in the Lao Peoples
Democratic Republic
Presenters:
Introduction to the draft Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities: Mr Norman
Longworth, UIL Consultant
Introduction to the draft Key Features of Learning Cities: Mr Jin Yang, Senior Programme
Specialist, UIL
Reports on the piloting the Key Features of Learning Cities in two cities:

- Ms Mara Nadiezhda Robles Villaseor, Minister of Education, Mexico City, Mexico

- Ms Judith James, Strategic Projects Manager, Planning and Strategic Projects Unit,
Swansea University, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
10:30 11:00
Tea break
11:00 12:30
Parallel Regional Forums

Regional Forum on Africa
Venue: Function Room 2 on the 1st Floor
Moderator: Mr Jean-Marie Ahlin Byll-Cataria, Chair of the UIL Governing Board and former
Executive Secretary, Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)
Panellists:
Mr Haskins Goitsemodimo Nkaigwa, Mayor of Gaborone City Council, Botswana
Ms Therese Olenga-Kalonda, Minister of Education, Kinshasa Provincial Government,

Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mr Forouk Iya Sambo, Commissioner of Education of Kano State, Nigeria
Mr Khatib Adulrahman Khatib, Mayor of Zanzibar Municipal Council,
United Republic of Tanzania
Mr Comlan Ametowoyona Adjahouinou, Mayor of Lom, Togo
Languages: English, French
Regional Forum on the Arab States
Moderator: Mr Osman M. Nour, Advisor, Arab Urban Development Institute (AUDI)
Panellists:
Ms Ekbal El Samaloty, Chairwoman of Eve Future Association and Dean of Social Work

Institute, Egypt
Ms Foziah Al-Suker, Director General for Adult Education, Ministry of Education,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mr Mohammed Easa Alkhumiri Alharmi, Director, Ministry of Education- Specialized
Schools Department, United Arab Emirates
Languages: Arabic, English
44 Appendices
Time
Activity
Tuesday 22 October
11:00 12:30
Regional Forum on Asia and the Pacific

Venue: Function Room 8 on the 2nd Floor
Moderator: Mr Gwang-Jo Kim, Director of UNESCO Bangkok
Panellists:
Mr Jose Enrique Sandejas Garcia III, Mayor, City Government of Balanga, Philippines
Mr Shaji Baby John, Chairman of the Kings Group, India
Mr Wang Chengbin, Vice Mayor of Changzhou, China
Mr Ki-Dae Yang, Mayor of Gwangmyeong City, Republic of Korea
Languages: Chinese, English
Regional Forum on Europe and North America
Moderator: Ms Dana-Carmen Bachmann, Head of Unit, Vocational training and adult
education, Directorate General Education and Culture, European Commission
Panelists:
Ms Veronika Schnstein, Project Manager, City of Freiburg, Germany
Mr Dimitrios Raftopoulos, Director of Lifelong Learning Research Institute, Greece
Mr Klitos Symeonides, President of Cyprus Adult Education Association, Cyprus
Mr Ramn Martnez de Murguia Urreta, Director of Training and Learning, Ministry of
Education, Basque Government, Spain
Languages: English, French
Regional Forum on Latin America and the Caribbean
Moderator: Mr Luis Mara Scasso, General Director for Cooperation and Lifelong
Education, Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI)
Panellists:
Ms Blanca Maria Cayo Quintana, Metropolitan Councillor of Lima, Peru
Mr Jos Simes De Almeida Junior, Secretary of Education, City Hall of Sorocaba, So
Paulo, Brazil
Ms Alexandra Pelez Botero, Secretary of Education, Medelln Education Secretariat,
Colombia
Ms Mara Carmen Hidalgo Baeza, Coordinator, Sustainable Development in the
Villages of Knowledge, International Relations Directorate of the Ministry of
Education and Culture, Paraguay
Language: English, Spanish
12:30 14:00
Lunch
Appendices 45
Time
Activity
Tuesday 22 October
14:00 15:30
Mayors Forum: Lifelong learning for all is our cities future

Venue: Grand Hall A on the 3rd Floor
Moderator: Ms Imee Marcos, Governor of Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Panellists:
Mr Xian Lianping, Representative of Mayor of Beijing Municipal Government, China
Mr Sampo Suihko, Vice Mayor, Espoo, Finland
Ms Pusadee Tamthai, Deputy Governor of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration,
Thailand
Mr Jean Sony Pierre, Mayor of la Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
Ms Raghd Shehada, Member of the City Council in Hebron Municipality, Hebron

Municipality, Palestine
Meeting of the Drafting Committee
Languages: English, Chinese
Open marketplace organised by the collaborating partners
Moderator: Mr Valerio Giuseppe Ricciardelli,
Managing Director of FESTO Didactic in Italy
Presenters:
45 representatives of the collaborating partners
15:30 16:00
Tea break
16:00 16:40
Adoption of the outcome documents

Moderator: Mr Jean-Marie Ahlin Byll-Cataria, former Executive Secretary, Association
for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)

16:40 17:30
Report of the Chair of the Drafting Committee

Adoption of the Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities
Endorsement of the Key Features of Learning Cities
Closing ceremony
Master of ceremonies: Mr Jean-Marie Ahlin Byll-Cataria, former Executive Secretary,
Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)

46 Appendices
Report of the General-Rapporteur of the Conference: Ms Shirley Walters,

Representative of the International Council for Adult Education and Director of the
Division for Lifelong Learning, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Mr Arne Carlsen, Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL),
Secretary-General of the Conference
Time
Activity
Tuesday 22 October

18:00 20:30
Mr Seung-il Na, Vice-Minister of Education, Republic of Korea

Ms Lorraine Kingston, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Ireland
Mr Liu Limin, Vice-Minister of Education, China
Mr Yang Xiaochao, Deputy Mayor of Beijing Municipal Government, China
Dinner
Wednesday 23 October
9:00 17:30
Study and cultural visits:

Best practices for building a learning city in Beijing

Some of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Beijing
B. Members of the Bureau of the

Conference
Chair:
Government, China
Vice-Chairs:
Ms Constance Chigwamba, Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture,
Zimbabwe
Mr Mohammed Ahmed Al-Sayed, Mayor of Doha,
Qatar
Mr Seung-il Na, Vice Minister of Education,
Republic of Korea
Ms Lorraine Kingston, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork,
Ireland
Ms Mara Nadiezhda Robles Villaseor, Minister of
Education, Mexico City, Mexico
General Rapporteur of the Conference:
Ms Shirley Walters, Representative of the
International Council for Adult Education and
Director of the Division for Lifelong Learning,
University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Drafting Committee
Chair:
Ms Angela Brown Burke, Mayor, Kingston and St.
Andrew Corporation, Jamaica
Members:
Mr Tesfaye Shiferaw, Vice President for Research
and Community Services, Bahir Dar University,
Ethiopia
Mr Kolawole Oseni, Chief Cultural Officer of Lagos
state Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture, Nigeria
Ms Sawsan El Sherif, Associate Researcher of Social
Research Center, American University, Egypt
Mr Osman M. Nour, Advisor of the Arab Urban
Development Institute (AUDI)
Ms Chen Li, Professor, Executive Dean of Beijing
Institute for Learning Society, Beijing Normal
University, China
Mr Lam Huy Le, Interim Director, SEAMEO Regional
Center for Lifelong Learning (SEAMEO CELL), Viet
Nam
Ms Kristiina Erkkil, Director of Development,
Education and Cultural Services, City of Espoo,
Finland
Ms Tina Neylon, Coordinator of Cork Lifelong
Learning Festival, Ireland
Mr Luis Mara Scasso, General Director for
Cooperation and Lifelong Education, Organization
of Iberoamerican States (OEI)
Advisors:
Mr Roger Boshier, Emeritus Professor, Department
of Educational Studies, University of British
Columbia, Canada
Mr Norman Longworth, former UNESCO Chair, UIL
Consultant, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland
Mr Heribert Hinzen, Regional Director of dvv
international in the Lao Peoples Democratic
Republic
Appendices 47
C. Opening Addresses
Liu Yandong
Vice-Premier of China
Promoting Lifelong Learning to Create a Better
Future for Our Cities
Dear Ms Irina Bokova,
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
Good morning,
Its Beijing in October; the autumn air is crisp, and the
landscape around the city is charming. Representatives
from 102 member states of UNESCO gathered together
to bring forth a plan for learning cities, which reflects
a common wish and solid will shared by people
from all over the world and those with breadth of
vision to promote lifelong learning of all and to
create beautiful future for cities. Today, on behalf
of the Chinese government, I would like to extend
my warm congratulations to the Conference and a
sincere welcome to Director-General Irina Bokova and
distinguished guests!
In this modern era, universal and lifelong learning has
become a global trend, and in this push for learning,
cities have garnered a great deal of importance.
Although cities account for only 2% of the land area,
they are inhabited by more than half of the worlds
population and serve as the center of our economic,
political and social lives. As the pace of urbanization
continues to accelerate, 60% of the worlds population
is expected to be living in cities by 2030, with those
cities in the development of all countries gaining a
more prominent position. Meanwhile, we are aware
that global conflicts, including economic, political,
social, are all intertwined; the path to answering the
complex questions of our populations, resources,
energy and environment as well as the road to
global economic recovery from the international
financial crises will be long and tortuous. Cities are
faced with a frequent movement of persons, rapid
technological advancements, a growing focus on
public safety, a widening gap between the rich and
poor, a convergence of cultural diversity, the lack of
employment opportunity, and an aging population, as
well as many other new challenges.
How to cope with these challenges has become
a common issue throughout the world. More and
more countries have turned their gaze towards the
construction of learning cities, the prominence of
which has taken precedence in urban development
strategies. The construction of learning cities and the
provision of better learning services to urban citizens
can enhance the level of morality and culture amongst
them, the quality of their lives and the expectation
48 Appendices
of happiness, increase the capacity of employment,

entrepreneurship and career transitions, and facilitate
the comprehensive and personalized development of
each and every individual; the construction of learning
cities can improve the overall quality of workers and
human resources, develop creative and innovative
potential, promote the upgrading of urban industrial
structure, create a favourable urban environment,
stimulate the vigour and vitality of urban development,
and promote the prosperity of cities. The construction
of learning cities, establishing the basic footing
for universal and lifelong learning, can address the
opportunities and challenges of economic globalization,
a multi-polar world, and information technology, be
good for bridging gaps among regional development
and deliver an inexhaustible drive for the sustainable
development of our nations. With the theme of Lifelong
Learning for All: Promoting Inclusion, Prosperity and
Sustainability in Cities, this Conference boosts the
integration of urban resources to bring out their
potential, promotes lifelong learning to conform with
the development of the times, push forward equality,
justice and social harmony, improve public welfare
and create a better future; this Conference is of great
realistic and far-reaching historical significance.
Ladies and gentlemen,

The Chinese nation has always laid a great emphasis
on literacy and education; the belief that one is never
too old to learn is deeply rooted in the hearts of the
Chinese people. The Chinese government has always
insisted on the priority of educational development
and attaches great importance to universal and
lifelong learning. The Education Law of the Peoples
Republic of China was adopted in 1995, proposing
the gradual establishment and improvement of a
system of lifelong education. Entering into the 21st
century, the State clarified the system of lifelong
learning, with the formation of a learning society as an
important objective in the construction of a moderately
prosperous society. In 2010, the national medium to
long-term education reform and development plan was
implemented, which aims to fundamentally achieve the
modernization of education, the basic framework for
a learning society, and the drive for the nation to enter
the ranks of talented human resources by 2020.
After years of effort, Chinas national education
system has become increasingly sound, in the hopes
of laying a solid foundation for the construction of a
learning society. 160 million students benefit from
the universal nine-year compulsory education, with
a gross enrolment rate of 85%, and the pace of the
development of vocational education is accelerating,
with continuing education for employees reaching 185
million people. Thus, the average years of schooling
for the working-age population and the new labour
force are 9.6 years and 12 years, respectively. The gross

enrolment rate for higher education is 30%, with a
population of 120 million people who have received a
higher education, which accelerates the transformation
from a nation with large population to a nation with
powerful human resource. In the past decade, China
has witnessed almost one hundred cities developing
as learning cities, exploring channels and methods
with Chinese characteristics: First, the formation
of a sound government-led pattern of community
involvement. All levels of government have developed
regulations and policies to increase funding support
to promote libraries, science centres, museums and
other public cultural facilities, free of charge, with
extensive involvement on behalf of enterprises,
institutions, social organisations and individuals,
enriching the social background of lifelong learning.
Secondly, the construction of an institutional bridge
to lifelong learning. The promotion of the coordinated
development of academic and non-academic
education, the mutual communication between
vocational and general education, the exploration
of a credit bank system, and a mechanism of mutual
recognition of learning outcomes will provide
opportunities for every person who has the desire
to learn. Third, the improvement of an open sharing
information service network. The creation of the four
categories of public service platforms of community
education, industrial and corporate training, online
learning and open education will strengthen distance
education alongside the construction of 6 open
universities for the majority of rural and remote
poverty-stricken areas. Today, China has nearly 570
million Internet users, and online learning has become
a new choice for education. Fourth, the creation of
a culture of learning for all. One-sixth of cities have
proposed the construction of learning cities, and with
nearly ninety percent of provinces and municipalities
having carried out Lifelong Learning Weeks and
with more than 400 cities having organized reading
festivals, reading months, and reading season activities,
learning enterprises, learning communities, and
learning families continue to emerge. It has become a
common practice in China to let cities become schools
without walls and let learning become a part of
everyones daily life.
At present, Chinas development has already reached a
new point in history, and the Chinese people fight hard
to realize the Chinese Dream of great rejuvenation. The
China Dream is the shared wish and dream of Chinese
people to live a better life, is the unification of our
country, our nation and our people. The construction
of a learning society and making lifelong learning a
spiritual status and a way of life for all people can help
everyones dreams come to a fruitful reality, which is
an important part of the China Dream and a strong
support by which this dream can come true. China is in
the process of creating a new stage of the economic

upgrading, in which we will focus more closely on the
link between the construction of learning cities and
economic development, accelerate the knowledge
renewal of workers and the enhancement to their
innovative ideas and skills, issue bonuses for talent,
and deliver intellectual support for higher level, higher
quality development in the process of industrialization,
informationisation and agricultural modernization.
Chinas rate of urbanisation has already reached 52%,
from now on with more than 10 million rural citizens
migrating to cities and towns each year, and we will
emphasize more closely on the link between the
construction of learning cities and the process of new
urbanization. With humans at the core of urbanization,
and through agricultural education and training, we
will promote the orderly migration of this population
and help them integrate into these cities. China is
undergoing a social transformation, and we will focus
more closely on the link between the construction
of learning cities and the progress of civilization,
which will make learning an aspect of social culture,
enhancing the cultural features and taste of our cities
and conserve the spiritual character of our citizens. It is
our hope that, through our tireless efforts, learning may
become the most beautiful scenery of our cities and
China may become a nation of learning.
Ladies and gentleman,
We live in an era of economic globalization and an
era that will witness the further development of a
knowledge-based economy. A new industrial revolution
filled with technological innovations is on its way, and
the construction of learning cities has already become
the necessary path by which we can promote the
tolerant, prosperous and sustainable development of
cities. I would like to take this opportunity to make a
four-point proposal:
First, put people first and satisfy the learning needs
and aspirations of different groups of people within
our cities. The promotion of lifelong learning, after
all, is to realize the overall development of human
beings. All nations should continue to improve their
laws, regulations and public policies, play a role in
professional organisations, and promote the active
cooperation of the public sector and non-governmental
organisations to create a better learning environment
within urban construction. Strengthen the open sharing
of various educational resources, facilitate school
services that are open to the community, and put to
use the revolutionary role of information network
technology. Provide rich and high-quality learning
resources to meet diverse learning needs, and strive
to build a learning society where everyone can learn,
anytime and anywhere.
Appendices 49
Second, stimulate creative potential and promote the

prosperous and sustainable development of our cities.
A citys prosperity not only means a growth in wealth,
but it also means the development of an economic,
political, cultural, social and ecological civilization.
While cities provide excellent living conditions for
citizens and comfortable working environments, they
also face population growth, housing shortages, traffic
congestion, environmental pollution, employment
difficulties and public security issues. Eliminating such
urban blight depends on the enhanced quality of
participation and public contributions. We should fully
stimulate public enthusiasm for learning, enhance
human capital, encourage innovation and creativity,
and allow talent to play its role as a powerful driving
force of innovation so as to improve the quality of
urban development and provide a solid support for its
expansion.
Third, create a learning environment and realize cities
of tolerance and harmony. Economic globalization
and urbanization have delivered diverse resources and
structural complexity to urban populations. Cities
should not only provide suitable living spaces for
citizens of different cultures, ethnicities, races, classes
and even countries, but they should also create and
safeguard equal learning opportunities and rights to
promote social fairness and justice. We should establish
full coverage, facilitate a network of learning cities,
promote communication between people for mutual
understanding, trust and cultural identities, and
enhance the inclusiveness and harmony of our urban
communities.
Fourth, strengthen international cooperation and
promote the construction of mutual exchanges
between learning cities. Each city has its own regional
advantages, historical heritage and unique cultural
background, and the building of learning cities should
both follow a common philosophy and also encourage
cities to blossom and flourish. We should respect the
characteristics and individual choices of each city,
and the construction of learning cities should be an
important part of cultural exchanges. We should
encourage more countries and cities to participate in
a policy dialogue, a sharing of ideas, action research
and capacity building, sharing our experiences and
sophisticated, high-quality resources to build a better
and more harmonious global village.
For a long time, UNESCO has been committed to
promoting lifelong learning, the construction of
learning cities and international cooperation, of
which the Chinese government offers the highest of
compliments. Back in the 1960s, UNESCO proposed
the concept of lifelong learning, and emphasized
lifelong education as the cornerstone of a learning
society in 1972 and 1996 and the key to entering the
50 Appendices
21st century. Last year, Secretary General Ban Kimoon put forth the Global Education First Initiative
to mobilize the international community to support
the development of education, the implementation of
which has an important significance for the Millennium
Development Goals. The Chinese government has,
on several occasions, carried out fruitful cooperation
with UNESCO. In September of this year, President
Xi Jinping stressed the efforts to develop Education
for All, lifelong education and the construction of a
learning society, indicative of the determination of
the Chinese government, during his congratulatory
video message to the United Nations Global Education
First Initiative. We will continue to support UNESCOs
efforts, exchange and share successful experiences,
help and promote the construction of learning cities in
developing countries, provide valuable experiences and
urban case studies, and contribute Chinese wisdom and
strength.
Ladies and gentlemen,
There is an old Chinese saying that there is never an
end to learning. The value of learning is infinite, and
it will lead the way to a better future. Let us join hands
and strive to expand the breadth and depth of learning
in urban construction, promote wholesome and
sustainable urban development and establish lasting
peace, common prosperity and a harmonious world in
which we can make great contributions!
I wish the Conference a complete success!
Thank you all!
Irina Bokova
Director-General, UNESCO
Excellency Ms Liu Yandong, Vice Premier of China,
Excellency Mr Yuan Guiren, Minister of Education of
China,
Honourable Mr Wang Anshun, Mayor of the Beijing
Municipal Government,
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am honoured to open the first International
Conference on Learning Cities, co-organised by
UNESCO, the Ministry of Education of China and the
Beijing Municipal Government. I can hardly think of
a better city for this event than Beijing. The tradition
on lifelong learning has deep roots in Chinese society.
The great Confucius reflected on his own life with
the following words: At fifteen, I set my heart upon
learning. At thirty, I planted my feet firmly upon the
ground. At forty, I no longer suffered from perplexities.
At fifty, I knew what the biddings of Heaven were. At
sixty, I heard them with a docile ear. At seventy, I could
follow the dictates of my heart; for what I desired no
longer overstepped the boundaries of right. Wish we all

could experience such a lifelong process of learning
We are brought together today by a shared conviction,
that learning is essential for individual dignity, that
learning is the best way to bring sustainability to
development. This conviction has never been so urgent.
Change is racing across the world. New technologies
are opening vast opportunities for creating and sharing
knowledge. At the same time, all societies are facing
steep challenges, to their resilience, to their sustainable
development. We need societies that are inclusive and
knowledge-based to confront these challenges. These
must be built on learning throughout life.
Lifelong learning is the philosophy, conceptual
framework and organizing principle for education in
the 21st century. These words are from the 2009 Belm
Framework for Action, the final document of the Sixth
International Conference on Adult Education. They are
not yet a reality. Since 2000, many countries have made
strong progress in expanding opportunities for formal
basic education but we know this is not enough. We
must examine the quality of education, its relevance
and its equity. We must grasp its ability to unlock the
innovation all societies need.
This is why inclusive, holistic and flexible lifelong
learning is so important. Lifelong learning is more
than adult education. It is more than technical and
vocational education and training. It reaches beyond
the walls of class rooms, to take in non-formal and
informal learning. It is about the kind of society we
need for a better future.
Innovation and resilience have deeper roots than
financial or economic assets. Solutions lie in the
imaginations of women and men. They must be
nurtured in the capacities of individuals to realise their
rights, in societies underpinned by justice and dignity.
This is what I mean by calling for a new humanism for
the century ahead. This is an appeal to invest in every
woman and man as a source of dignity, as a wellspring
of innovation.
In this context, cities have never been so important
-- as platforms and architects of positive change. The
May report of the United Nations High Level Panel
on Post-2015, co-chaired by President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono of Indonesia, President Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf of Liberia and Prime Minister David Cameron of
the United Kingdom, made the stakes clear: Cities are
where the battle for sustainable development will be
won or lost.
More than half of the worlds population today lives
in the cities in one generation, this will rise to two
thirds. Cities are our greatest motors of dynamism,
growth, innovation and living together. But they

are also sources of injustice, poverty and exclusion.
Cities are key actors for peace and development in the
century ahead -- our challenge is to ensure that this
peace is lasting, that this development is sustainable.
Infrastructure planning, water and energy supply
these are essential hardware for sustainable cities.
They need the right software to work. This is why this
International Conference on Learning Cities is such a
milestone. This goes to the heart of UNESCOs work in
lifelong learning, to provide women and men with tools
to make the most of change, to create more inclusive,
prosperous and sustainable societies.
During this Conference, we must agree on the key
features of learning cities, on their foundations and
building blocks, and on a checklist for action, to be
adapted to individual contexts. This draws on the
leading work of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong
Learning, which has created a dynamic network at the
global, national and municipal levels, bringing together
also experts and the private sector.
I wish to thank all participants to this Conference, from
Governments and cities across the world, municipalities
across China, from civil society and the private sector.
I am especially grateful to the Government of the
Peoples Republic of China for its leadership and support
to UNESCO. This reflects the remarkable progress China
has made in promoting lifelong learning and building
a learning society. This is highlighted in the National
Outline Plan for Medium and Long-term Education
Reform and Development (20102020), and we see it in
the determination of the Beijing Municipal Government
to build a learning city. China is leading from the front
having organised the 3rd International Congress on
Technical and Vocational Education and Training in
Shanghai in 2012, and as a Champion Country of the
United Nations Secretary-Generals Global Education
First Initiative, which UNESCO is steering forward.
In his video address to the first anniversary of the
Global Education First Initiative held in New York on 25
September, H.E. President Xi Jinping stated: Education
is the foundation of national development in the long
run. It is the fundamental way for mankind to pass on
civilizations and knowledge, bring up new generations,
and create a better life. As the President stated, lifelong
learning has a key role to play in this strategy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We need to place lifelong learning at the heart of all our
work to build inclusive knowledge societies, at the heart
also of the post-2015 global development agenda. This
is the way to unlock the potential of every society. This
is the way to bring sustainability to all development
efforts. Cities have a unique role to play here.
Appendices 51
This is our call to action today, to work with

Governments, civil society and the private sector in
building city by city a future of dignity for all. I am
not saying this will be easy but I believe we share
a vision, we have experience to build on, and we can
move forward together.
Thank you.
Wang Anshun
Mayor of Beijing Municipal Government, China
Honorable Madam Liu Yandong, Vice Premier of China,
Honorable Madam Irina Bokova, Director-General of
UNESCO,
Honorable Mr Yuan Guiren, Minister of Education of
China,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen, friends,
In this harvest season of autumn, we gather in the
beautiful ancient Chinese capital city of Beijing, to
convene the first-ever International Conference on
Learning Cities. First of all, on behalf of the Beijing
Municipal Government, I would like to extend my
warm congratulations to the opening of the conference
and sincere welcome to all distinguished guests and
friends! I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to
the co-organizers of this Conference - UNESCO and the
Ministry of Education of China - and to all collaborating
partners and the media, who have given great support
for the Conference!
Since the 1970s, the concept of learning society
proposed by UNESCO has been widely recognized in
the international community. The Chinese government
has actively endeavoured to embrace this concept
and set up the strategic goal of establishing the basic
framework for building a learning society by 2020. This
goal has been incorporated into the overall national
education reform and development plan, and been
pursued in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.
As Chinas capital, Beijing has a wealth of educational,
scientific, and cultural resources, and accommodates
93 universities, 1,711 primary and secondary schools, 288
research & development institutions, 165 museums,
25 public libraries, 19 cultural centres and numerous
grassroots cultural and educational institutions, with
about 650,000 professionals in the field of science and
technology. In all, Beijing possesses good fundamental
conditions and intellectual resources to be a pioneer in
building a learning society.
In recent years, the Beijing Municipal Government has
attached great importance to the construction of a
learning city, and has clearly put forward the goal of
52 Appendices
developing Beijing into an advanced learning city by

2020. To achieve this goal, our Municipal Government
has integrated the building of a learning city into the
economic and social development plan of the city,
promulgated the Decision to Vigorously Promote and
Implement the Construction of a Learning City, and
also formed a leading group to co-ordinate the work
of the construction of a learning city. Until now, all
districts and counties of the city have established
their community education networks, within which
the community college or adult education centre at
the district-level are playing a pivotal role; more than
60% of the educational institutions are open to all
community residents; more than 400 villages have
established farmers distance learning sites. With these
developments, the city has not only initially built a
comprehensive network for promoting learning, but
also enhanced a lifelong learning service system.
Through practice, we have realized that the
construction of a learning city is of great significance
for improving the level of scientific, cultural and moral
qualities of all citizens, for promoting the all-round
development of individuals, and for achieving social
harmony and sustainable development of a society.
Meanwhile, we also realized that the construction of a
learning city is a systematic social development project,
which needs unremitting, adventurous and innovative
efforts and actions.
At present, Beijing is in a critical period of
transformation and development, facing the
constraints relating to demographic change, natural
resources and environmental issues, the challenges of
industrial restructuring, and the contradictions caused
by the dual urban-rural structure. The solution to these
problems and promote sustainable urban development
relies not only on the efforts of the government, but
also on the support and participation from all citizens
and from all fields of the society.
We will take this conference as a great opportunity
to learn advanced experiences and practices from
cities around the world in order to further promote
education for all and lifelong learning, to improve our
mechanisms and channels of learning, to promote
the development of education and connect it closely
with urban development, to improve the scientific
and cultural qualities of all citizens, to stimulate urban
vitality, to shape urban civilization, and to provide
an inexhaustible force for urban innovation and
development.
First, we will improve the system of lifelong education,
develop quality school education, vigorously carry
out community education, greatly strengthen rural
education, deeply improve continuing education, and
greatly accelerate the development of modern distance
education.
Second, we will build a lifelong learning service system

serving the whole society, open all types of schools and
training institutions even further to citizens, develop
professional and community learning courses catered
for residents learning needs, and set up various forms
of learning and training activities.
Third, we will actively promote the construction
of learning units, learning institutions, learning
associations and all other types of learning
organisations, and improve the building of learning
organisations.
Fourth, we will accelerate the development and
improvement of a government-led, market-oriented,
socialized and multi-layered vocational education
and training system, to strengthen the provision
of vocational and technical training for all types of
employees.
Fifth, we will accelerate the improvement of
organisational management, financial resources,
evaluation and reward, advocacy and publicity, as well
as accreditation of learning outcomes, to provide a
strong institutional guarantee for the construction of a
learning city.
Through these efforts, we will transform Beijing
to an innovative, dynamic, and knowledge-based
international metropolis.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends,
The first International Conference on Learning Cities
brought together around 500 delegates from more
than 100 countries around the globe. With the
theme Lifelong Learning for All: Promoting Inclusion,
Prosperity and Sustainability in Cities, the conference
provides a great opportunity for all participants to
discuss critical issues and to draw blueprints for the
construction of learning cities and learning societies
in the international community. The outcomes of the
conference are of far-reaching historical significance
for worldwide education reform and development, as
well as for the achievement of harmonious economic
and social development. As the host of the conference,
Beijing Municipal Government will make every effort to
provide quality service for the conference.
I believe, through the joint efforts of all distinguished
guests, the conference will be a great success for
strengthening exchanges and deepening cooperation
among cities, and for making significant contributions
for the establishment of learning cities around the
world.
To conclude, I wish the first International Conference

on Learning Cities a complete success! I wish all the
distinguished guests enjoy a very pleasant stay in
Beijing!
Thank you!
D. Report of the Conference by the

General Rapporteur
Shirley Walters
Professor of Adult and Continuing Education, Director
of the Division for Lifelong Learning, University of
Western Cape, South Africa; and representative of the
International Council for Adult Education (ICAE)
It is a privilege to present to you the general
rapporteurs report. I thank you for the privilege of
being elected to this position. I have tried to listen
very carefully to the presentations, the questions and
comments. I recognise that in this short presentation
I cannot do justice to the nuance of your arguments
and points made, but I do hope that I have captured
the main issues and fault lines satisfactorily. I have
been deeply impressed by the high level presence
and commitment of the Chinese Government, Beijing
Municipality and UNESCO, which augurs well for the
outcomes of this meeting.
I will try to be clear and simple without being simplistic.
In the presentation I will use quotes, which I present
in quotation marks, from peoples direct words. In this
way, I trust that at least some of your voices will come
through directly.
What is the big issue?
The main issue that emerged relates to Learning to
sustain life through building learning cities. By this
is meant that we all need to learn to sustain all life,
which includes humans, plants, animals, and all living
things, through respect of our interrelationships and
interdependence within the concept of the learning
cities.
Why is this important: why learning, why cities,
why build a learning city network?
We have heard a great deal about the inevitability
of urbanisation with the prediction of 60% of the
worlds population living in cities by 2030. There
are huge pressures on the environment, on the
social and physical infrastructure which includes
housing, health, sanitation, water, social sectors,
communications, and transport. This is resulting
for example in growing urban poverty, air pollution,
Appendices 53
migration (both immigration and emigration), crime,

drug trafficking, human trafficking, corruption and
other social ills, together with local/global competition
amongst people, communities and cities to survive.
There is growing discontent from citizens from lack of
infrastructure and support, which results in increased
citizen discontent and resultant activism.
There is increasing evidence that there is growing
inequality in the world and it is inequality rather than
poverty per se which causes the greatest discontent.
As a participant said, with social inequality and
overcrowding there can be no learning. Another said,
We have inherited wounded cities, therefore it is
essential that people must be at the centre of our
concern. Gender equality and gender justice must be
an aim of learning cities as gender-based violence is
rampant. We know well that violence effects peoples
ability to learn. Women are often the centre of families
and communities: they and the children must be
treated with dignity and respect.
All people, across generations, have a need to
belong and to feel connected to others in order to
thrive and innovate. We know well that violence,
fear, overcrowding, and a culture of extreme
individualisation, leads to alienation and separation of
people from one another which perpetuates the cycle
of violence and ill health.
In order to help counter many of these social, cultural
and economic issues, promotion of quality, accessible
lifelong learning for all is essential. We heard that
learning citizens are happier, more innovative, more
entrepreneurial, and more prosperous; have more
dignity, will feel more connected. As was said, Learning
makes life more beautiful.
We were informed that cities are where battles for
sustainability will be won or lost. The connection
between learning cities and sustainability of the
cities and the planet was described. We heard that
sustainable green cities become learning cities..
and develop eco-citizens. From a young age children
must be taught the importance of recycling and
ecological thinking in general. Learning cities lead to a
great rejuvenation of society, and sustainable cities
recognise that we must work with nature; we need
to give joy while learning and teaching, and we must
find new synergies between modern and traditional
cultures while encouraging and supporting learning
across all generations and within and across formal and
informal settings.
54 Appendices
What are the building blocks of a learning city?

What are the major strategies?
Leadership is very important in the building of a
learning city where the political will is needed for long
term commitment, as short-termism will not work. The
kind of dedicated long term leadership of President
Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison to ensure
a democratic South Africa, was used to illustrate this
point. The commitment being shown by the Chinese
and South Korean governments to the holistic concept
of the learning city is commendable. The questions
that need to be confronted in the process of building a
learning city are political, social, economic, cultural and
environmental.
The important principle of building on what is
already there within the society was emphasised.
The encouragement of communities of practice,
and learning communities, was stressed in formal
education institutions at all levels, at workplaces, in
neighbourhoods, on streets, in libraries, museums,
cultural centres, prisons, and through use of media,
and in how public spaces are used. While the formal
education and training systems are important
the learning within informal contexts must also
be encouraged strongly. Within all organisations,
including local government and political structures,
learning cultures must be enhanced and they must be
encouraged to be learning organisations.
The importance of learning across all generations is
important, and we are reminded of the long history of
the wisdom of this through the life of Confucius. It is
also essential to work carefully with the children from
a young age by providing pre-school education which
can inspire wisdom and creativity while ensuring their
safety. At each developmental stage ideas of ecological
intelligence, including interdependence of all living
things, values of compassion, peaceful coexistence,
inter-connectedness, and values of learning throughout
life, need to be taught and encouraged. Across all ages
and in/with nature, we must learn to live, work, plan
and be together, in what is sometimes referred to as
lifelong, life wide and life deep learning.
The use of learning festivals, reading weeks, creation of
bright spots to advocate for learning, and to acquire a
range of skills, attitudes, ideas, and to inspire learning
across society, should be considered. There should also
be encouragement, for example, of learning circles,
philosophers debates in coffee shops, and learning
on the move , as so many people spend so much
time in transit on trains, buses, or taxis. An excellent
example of achievements in constructing a learningorientated area, where learning opportunities are
within 15 minutes from peoples homes, was given from
Dongcheng District of Beijing.
The use of new ICTs to communicate through social

media, to give access and encourage quality selfdirected and collective learning any-time, anywhere,
was emphasised. We heard of seismic technological
changes, for example cloud technology that is allowing
access to people in deep rural areas. It is important
though that technology is used appropriately and it
was stated very strongly on a cautionary note, that it
is social innovation rather than technology that is most
important.
The different use of public spaces which enhance
learning, calls on educators, political officials, town
planners, urban planners, architects, sociologists, and
others, to work together to develop the best ways of
doing this.
Much of the educational practice that exist in schools
and universities has not changed over centuries with
it continuing to be professor or teacher centred. There
is growing innovation which challenges this paradigm,
which moves the student to the centre, and which
flips the classroom. This means that the time in face
to face sessions maximises opportunities for collective,
critical thinking and problem solving, with students
being able to access the facts through lectures on line.
The question is: how flexible can teachers, students
and administrators be to ensure an innovative, quality,
relevant, accessible and successful pedagogical
experience. This includes rethinking instructional
strategies, student support, curriculum, assessment,
and the physical environments.
At the centre of learning is knowledge. There was
recognition of all forms of knowledge, whether tacit,
localised knowledge, including indigenous knowledge,
or more codified and generalised knowledge. All are
important and various connections or paths must be
built between these, for example using recognition
of prior learning, national qualification frameworks,
credit accumulation and transfer, and guidance and
counselling for the navigation by individuals and groups
through and across systems. There was also recognition
that knowledge is co-constructed across a range of
sectors or groups in society, which include universities,
social movements, other civil society organisations,
workplaces, industry, and governments.
These new realities require multi-sectoral and
collaborative approaches, which encourage
partnerships. The capacities and the processes of
building collaborative partnerships can also not be
taken fore-granted they need to be taught/learnt.
These include the importance of building relationships
of trust, shared norms and values; common
motivations; creation of strategic goals and objectives;
resources for operational undertakings; champions
who will help to drive the collaboration. In a nutshell it
includes a kind of relational agency, which is a term

developed by Anne Edwards of Oxford University.
Working across boundaries is central to building a
learning city, so the skills and capacities to do this must
be recognised and developed.
Another aspect of working across boundaries was that
between cities, towns, and villages, to ensure that
the urban city is not cut off from or further privileged
compared to the rural villages. It has been explained
that the concept of the learning city refers to the
core-city and its city and its region. It is also possible
to talk about learning regions which have learning
families, learning communities and villages. But given
the growing importance of cities and their challenges
for the majority of women, men and children in the
world, learning city, which has an inclusive meaning, is
preferred.
What are the lessons learnt so far?
The hosting of this conference by Beijing Municipal
City and Ministry of Education of China and UNESCO,
demonstrated through concrete examples and key
features of a learning city, many of the lessons listed
here:

People come first learning cities are by the

people, of the people, for the people
Political leadership, which has long term vision, is
critical
Advocacy of the centrality of learning throughout
life is very important
It requires good governance
A holistic approach, across ages and sectors is
essential
Social justice for all women, men, and children is
essential
Sustainable cities become learning cities
Empowerment through networks and partnerships
must take place
It is important to bench mark, to measure progress
and to share leading practices
Research and development which takes into
account large data sets which include transport
systems, housing, education, social care, land use,
urbanisation etc. is important, as is the qualitative
and quantitative capturing of learning experiences
and outcomes
Most importantly, there must be an acknowledged
link between social justice and economic
development a narrow focus on the economy will
not yield the results.
Appendices 55
Is this about achieving the impossible?
E List of participants
There was a sense that through the adoption of the

Beijing Declaration, the adoption of the Key Features
of Learning Cities, which are practical hands on tools,
the building of the network amongst people concerned
with developing learning cities, which is championed
by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, there is a
strong chance that this initiative could flourish. It would
be important to work towards the regular recognition
of outstanding or leading learning cities from all the
regions to act as lighthouses for others to follow. This
should be done recognising that one size does not fit
all.
Member States and Associate Member States
Now it is time to take up the challenge as stated by

Albert Einstein, If you cant explain it simply, you dont
understand it well enough. I wish you well as you go
back to your respective countries with these inspiring
and practical messages to share, so that your cities and
regions can embrace learning for all across the society.
I thank you for your insights which have enriched the
meeting. I also wish to express deep appreciation to our
hosts and compliment them and the organising team
for a job well done.
Africa
Botswana
Mr Haskins Goitsemodimo Nkaigwa, Mayor, Gaborone
City Council
Mr Tebogo Matlhogonolo,
Mayor, Selibe Phikwe Town Council
Ms Dineo Nosa Modimakwane,
Programme Officer - Education
Burkina Faso
Mr Kinimbi Dominique Hema, Mayor of Niangoloko
Mr Ramokin Jean Paul Ouedraogo, Mayor of Man
Mr Ibrahima Sanon, Technical Adviser to the Minister,
Ministry of National Education
Chad
Mr Abdallah Lebine Oumar, Deputy Mayor of
NDjamena
Mr Hassan Samafou Baba, Minister Advisor, Ministry of
Basic Education and Literacy
Mr Ali Alifa Dagal, Inspector of Municipal Service,
NDjamena
Mr Saultidigue Kilma, Director General of Literacy
and Promotion of National Languages, Ministry of
Education and Literacy
Comoros
Ms Hadjira Oumouri, Mayor of Itsahidi
Mr Said Abdou, Deputy Mayor of Nouma-Msirou
Grande Comores
Ms Boina Bacar Sitty, First Deputy Mayor of
Fomboni Mohli
Congo
Mr Aime Constant Richard Nevince Barnith, Chief
Administrative Officer, Ministry of Higher Education
Mr Mfumu Fylla Saint-Eudes Beaudley*, Mayor of
Brazzaville
Mr Miakakarila Evariste*, Director of External Relations,
City of Brazzaville
Mr Bossibiaka Felicite*, Director of the Arts
Department, City of Brazzaville
Mr Ondaye Hugues Gervais*, Sociocultural Advisor of
Cabinet, City of Brazzaville
Mr Ngouelondele Hugues*, Mayor, City of Brazzaville
Mr Ovu Rodrigue Patrick*, Executive of Culture and
Tourism, City of Brazzaville
Mr Ngantsio Rodolphe*, Councellor at the Mayors
Cabinet, City of Brazzaville
56 Appendices
Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ms Therese Olenga-Kalonda, Minister of Provincial
Government
Ms Clotilde Kalunga Mutita*, Deputy Mayor, City of
Lubumbashi
Mr Eugene Ebengo Makoke, Chief of Division, Education
Sector, Democratic Republic of the Congos National
Commission for UNESCO
Mr Patrice Cyrille Bukasa Mulaji*, Head of
Administration, City of Lubumbashi
Mr Guy Serge Mutombu Sampas Tshilemb*, Member of
the Mayors Office, City of Lubumbashi
Mr Jean Paul Etienne Lunghe Sheleka, Assistant of the
Minister, Provincial Government of Kinshasa
Ethiopia
Mr Mohammed Ahmedin Hassen, Secretary of
Education, South Carolina Department of Education
Mr Nigatu Deressa Husso, Senior Expert, Benishangui
Gunug State Board of Education
Mr Abdirahman Farah Kad, Funds Official, Somali State
Board of Education
Mr Tesfaye Shiferaw, Vice President for Research and
Community Services, Bahir Dar University
Gambia
Mr Abdoulie B.J. Bah, Mayor of Banjul City Council
Guinea-Bissau
Mr Paulino Cabral, Director of Obras Municipal,
Camara Municipal
Mr Issufo Conta, Chief of Education Staff, Municipality
of Bissau
Liberia
Ms Asta Kaba, Curriculum Specialist, Ministry of
Education
Ms Mannoh Martin-Kaba, Special Project Coordinator
Mr Siekula Theophilus Vannie, Director of Information
Technology, Vice Presidents Office
Malawi
Mr James Roy Changadeya, Planning Officials, Ministry
of Education, Office of Planning
Mali
Mr Sekou Fantamadi Traore, Leader of the Koulikor
Regional Council
Mr Marc Dabou, Assistant Director for Local
Development, General Directorate for Local
Communities
Ms Fatoumata Dicko Nee Konake, Director, CPMCT-
Ng Blon
Mozambique
Mr Pedro Alberto Cossa, Department Chief, Ministry of
Education
Mr Simao Mucavele, Councillor of Education, Culture
and Sport, Maputo City Municipality
Namibia
Mr Armas Pendjuunongo Kashimbi, Deputy Director-
Lifelong Learning, Ohangwena Regional Council
Ms Bernadette Hinananye Mukulu, Senior Education
Officer, Directorate of Education, Oshana Region
Nigeria
Mr Farouk Iya Sambo, Commissioner, Ministry of
Education, Kano State
Ms Adefolahan Amore, Director, Agency for Mass
Education, Lagos State
Mr Tujuka Adenrele Durojaiye, Director of Subject
Teachers, African Communities Junior High School
Mr Ugochukwu Vincent Ezennadili, the Bioscience
Research Centre
Mr Fatai Olajide Babatunde Olukoga, Special Advisor on
Education, Ministry of Education, Lagos State
Mr Kolawole Oseni, Chief Cultural Officer, Ministry of
Home Affairs and Culture, Lagos State
Mr Olusola Bolarinwa Sokefun, Faculty of Science, Lagos
State University
Ms Fatima Mohammed Umar, Professor, Agency for
Mass Education, Kano State Government
Mr Musa Malkasuwa Yakubu, Director, FCT Agency for
Mass Education
Rwanda
Ms Umurerwa Harriet, Coach of Teacher Training and
Career Guidance, Ministry of Education
Mr Emile Uwamahoro, Acting Consultant (cooperation
with foreign universities), Ministry of Education
Senegal
Mr Abdoulaye Elimane Kane*, Minister, Ministry of
Culture
Mr Khalifa Sall*, Mayor of City of Dakar
Mr Oumar Ndao*, Director of City Council of Dakar
Mr Souleye Gorbal Sy, Leader, National Committee for
Education for All
Sao Tome and Principe
Mr Protenciano Chin Choy Rita, Financial Law Teacher,
Administrative Statistics and Information Institute
Sierra Leone
Mr Abu Kerrah, Deputy President, Pampana High School
Togo
Mr Jean-Marie Ahlin Byll-Cataria, Chair of the Governing
Board, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)
Mr Comlan Ametowoyona Adjahouinou, Mayor of Lom
Mr Barakpete Ahiya, Counselor in the Ministry of
Education
Ms Ayl Rosalie Eklu-Koevanu, Chief of Section for the
Promotion of National Education Languages,
Ministry of Education
Appendices 57
Uganda
Mr Erias Lukwago, Lord Mayor of Kampala Capital City
Authority
Mr John Omer, Mayor of Kibaale District Local
Government
Ms Marion Olga Alina, Assistant Communication
Officer, Makerere University
Mr Atwoko Jimmy Ambrose*, Deputy Director of
Kampala Capital City Authority-Directorate of
Education and Social Services
Ms Annie Sybil Galwango, Director of Education
and Social Services, Kampala Capital City Authority,
Directorate of Education and Social
Mr Kasiita Ismail, National Coordinator, Uganda
Literacy and Adult Learners Association
Mr Reuben Kamoga*, Clerk to Authority of Kampala
Capital City Authority
Ms Imelda Engabi Kyaringabira, Senior Literacy Officer,
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
Mr David Twebaze, Programme Officer, Uganda
National Commission for UNESCO
Mr Patrick Ogwang Olwit, Education Official, Oyam
Girls School
United Republic of Tanzania
Mr Khatib Adulrahman Khatib, Mayor, Zanzibar
Municipal Council
Mr Jerry William Silaa, Mayor, Ilala Municipal Council
Mr Dhihai Ali Dhihai, President, Fuoni Junior High
School
Ms Kibibi Muhamed Mbarouk, President, Mwembeladu
Junior High School
Mr Salum Ramadhan Mnjagila, Director of Adult
Education, Ministry of Education and Vocational
Training
Zimbabwe
Ms Constance Chigwamba, Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture
Mr Lysias Crispen Bowora, Principal Director, Ministry of
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture
Mr Thorpe Nyamukuvhengu, President, Chimhanda
Primary School
Arab States
Jordan
Mr. Yahya Qaralleh, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom
of Jordan in China
Mr Issa Yousef Alhijazin, Attach, Embassy of the
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in China
Palestine
Ms Raghd Shehada, Member of the City Council in
Hebron Municipality, Hebron Municipality
Qatar
Ms Ranya Al Ansari, Office Manager of Independent
Schools, Supreme Education Council
Saudi Arabia
Ms Dahis Alkhal Disuad, Eastern Erea, Ministry of
Education
Mr Mansour Alosaimi, Delegation of Saudi Arabia to
UNESCO
Ms Foziah Al-Suker, Director General for Adult
Education, Ministry of Education
Syrian Arab Republic
Mr Imad Moustapha, Ambassador, Embassy of the
Syrian Arab Republic to China
Mr Amid Hamdan, Head of Cultural Section of Syrian
Embassy in Beijing, Embassy of the Syrian Arab
Republic to China
United Arab Emirates
Mr Hamad Ali Al Dhaheri, Executive Director, Private
Schools & Quality Assurance Sector
Mr Mohammed Easa Alkhumiri Alharmi, Director,
Ministry of Education- Specialized Schools
Department
Ms Fatma Humaid Ahmad Bin Huzaim Alrumaithi,
Deputy Director, Ministry of Education- Pubic
School Supervision
Yemen
Mr Abdulqader Ali Helal Al-Dabab, Mayor of the Capital
Mr Mohammed Abdullah Mohsbv Al-Fadhli, Employee,
Mr Mohammed Yahya Nasser Gahlan, Journalist
Algeria
Mr Abdelhakim Belaabed, National Office for Literacy
and Adult Education, Ministry of Education
Mr Noureddine Khaldi, Director, Directorate of
Education
Asia and the Pacific
Egypt
Mr Ossama Abdel Meguid*, Director of Nubian
Museum
Ms Ekbal EL Samalouty, Chair of the Board of Eve Future
and Dean of Social Work Institute
Ms Sawsan El Sherif, Associate Researcher of
Social Research Center-American University
Bangladesh
Mr Shahnewaz Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Center for
International Education and Development (CINED)
Mr A K M Monirul Islam, Ministry of Education,
Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO
58 Appendices
Australia
Mr Gregory Peter Rudd, Managing Director, GPR Asia
Mr Greg Shaw, Professor, Charles Darwin University
Cambodia
Mr Vutha Lay, Non-Formal Education Coordinator, NGO
Education Partnership (NEP)
China
Ms Yandong Liu, Vice-Premier of China
Mr Guiren Yuan, Minister of Education of China
Mr Anshun Wang, Mayor, Beijing Municipal
Government
Mr Ping Hao, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Education of
China
Ms Xin Lu, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Education of China
Mr Limin Liu Vice-Minister, Ministry of Education of
China
Mr Shixiang Li, Deputy Mayor, Beijing Municipal
Government
Mr Xiaochao Yang, Deputy Mayor, Beijing Municipal
Government
Mr Xu Qin, Mayor of Shenzhen Municipal Government
Ms Keming Hao, President, Chinese Educational
Strategy Development Society
Mr Xiping Tao, Former Deputy Director of the Beijing
Municipal Peoples Congress
Mr Shaozhong You, Ambassador and Permanent
Representative of China to UNESCO
Mr Yue Du, Secretary General, Chinese National
Ms Yan Cai, Deputy Section Chief, Department of
Vocational and Adult Education, Ministry of
Education
Mr Zhaoli Cai, Deputy Director, Department of
Education, Shanxi Province
Mr Hongou Chen, Director, Bureau of Education, Gulou
District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province
Ms Lin Chen*, Director for Communication, Shenzhen
Creative Culture Centre
Ms Ning Chen, Deputy Chief, Beijing Xicheng District
Government
Mr Shaohua Chen*, Director of the General Office
of Publicity Department of CPC Shenzhen Municipal
Committee
Mr Wenen Chen, Investigator and Deputy Section Chief,
Section of University, Department of School, the
Central Committee of the Communist Young League
Mr Xiaofeng Chen, Deputy Director, Bureau of Frontier
Science and Education, Chinese Academy of
Sciences
Mr Xiaogeng Chen, President Assistant, School of
Continuing Education, Tsinghua University
Mr Yaohua Chen*, Deputy Director, Shanghai Economic
and Information Technology Commission
Mr Zhibiao Chen, Vice President, China Education
Science Culture and Health Sports unions
Mr Hong Deng, Section Chief, Section of Vocational
Education and Adult Education, Department of
Education, Jiangxi Province
Ms Juan Du*, Photographer of Archives Bureau of
Shenzhen Municipality
Mr Qi Fan, Director, Community Education Center,

Bureau of Education, Xiacheng District, Hangzhou
City, Zhejiang Province
Mr Zhigang Fan*, Deputy Director-General of the
Education Bureau of Shenzhen Municipal
Government
Ms Liu Fang, Project Manager, Comprehensive Affairs
Division, Beijing International Education
Exchange(BIEE)
Mr Yonglin Fu*, Deputy Mayor, Chengdu Municipal
Government
Mr Runsheng Gao, Deputy Inspector, Science and
Technology Department, Ministry of Education
Mr Xiaoping Gao, Deputy Mayor, Mananshan Municipal
Peoples Government, Hanhui Province
Mr Yanwei Gao, Investigator, Department of Housing
and Urban Construction
Mr Daokai Ge, Director-General, Vocational and Adult
Education Department, Ministry of Education
Mr Yuehua Gu, Director, Bureau of Education, Suzhou
City
Mr Jun Guan, Chief Reporter, Dalian New Business
Newspaper; Learning City Bimonthly Journal
Mr Dayong Guo, Deputy Section Chief, Department
of Education and Training Management, Tsinghua
University
Ms Yurong Guo*, Director General of the Education
Bureau, Shenzhen Municipal Government
Mr Guo Haibo, Programme officer, Chinese National
Mr Wangxi Han*, Director General, International
Communication Office of the CPC Shenzhen
Municipal Committee and Shenzhen City of
Design Promotion Office
Mr Jinsong He, Member, the CPC Beijing Municipal
Education Committee; Deputy Director, Beijing
Municipal Education Commission
Mr Shouchang He*, Commissioner, Shanghai Cultural
and Creative Leading Group Office
Ms Yuan He, Deputy Director of the Government
Office, Peoples Government of Qingyang District,
Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
Mr Jianjun Hou, Head, Department of Continuing
Education, Peking University
Mr Yuan Hou, Director, Department of Education, Inner
Mongolia Autonomous Region
Mr Huoming Hu*, Principal Staff Member of the
General Office, Shenzhen Municipal Government
Mr Peng Hu, Deputy Director, Bureau of Education,
Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province
Mr Xiaosong Hu, President, Beijing Open University
Mr Yu Hu, Manager of Administration Department,
Shanghai Ming Wah Property Management Ltd.
Ms Hui Huang, Section Chief, Department of Vocational
Ms Jian Huang, Deputy Managing Director, Shanghai
Institute of lifelong Education
Mr Wei Huang, Director, Bureau of Education, Xiacheng
District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Appendices 59
Ms Nan Jia, Programme officer, Chinese National

Mr Hui Jiao*, Deputy Chief of Catering Division,
Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Commerce
Mr Ming Jin, Deputy Mayor, Kunshan Municipal
Government, Jiangsu Province
Mr Chunhui Ke, Deputy Director-General, Policy and
Regulation Department, Ministry of Education
Ms Li Lai, Vice Researcher, Chinese Academy of
Educational Sciences
Mr Zhiyong Lan, Vice President, School of Public
Administration, Renmin University of China
Mr Ming Lei*, Deputy Director, Chengdu Municipal
Bureau of Commerce
Mr Yunfei Lei, Vice President, the Party School of Quelu
District
Mr Chong Li, Senior Manager, World Economic Forum
Ms Chunchun Li, Associate investigator, Section of
Vocational Education and Adult Education,
Department of Education, Guangxi Province
Ms Chune Li, Deputy Section Chief, Section of
Department of Education, Shanxi Province
Mr Fude Li, Party Branch Secretary and Vice President,
School of Distance Education, Foreign Economic and
Trade University
Mr Fuzhong Li, Deputy Section Chief, Division of
Education, Jilin Province
Mr Heping Li, Deputy Director, Department of
Education, Anhui Province
Mr Ji Li, Vice Department Head, Department of School,
the Central Committee of the Communist Young
League
Mr Kang Li, Section Chief, Bureau of Education, Taiyuan
City
Mr Ping Li, Deputy Director, Bureau of Education,
Changsha City
Mr Ran Li, Deputy Head Clerk, Division of Education
Science and Technology, State Ethnic Affairs
Commission
Mr Renhe Li, Vice President, Chinese Educational
Strategy Development Society
Mr Rubiao Li, President Assistant, Beijing Social
Management College (Training Center of the
Ministry of Civil Affairs)
Mr Shikai Li, Associate Inspector, Department of
Education, Jiangsu Province
Mr Wanping Li, Section Chief, Section of Vocational
Education and Adult Education, Bureau of
Education, Wuhan City
Mr Wei Li, Secretary-General, Beijing Municipal
Government
Mr Xiaolan Li, Deputy Section Chief, Dalian Municipal
Peoples Government Office
Mr Xin Li*, Director of the Social and Cultural Affairs
Division of the General Office, Shenzhen Municipal
Government
60 Appendices
Mr Genhui Liang, Director, Bureau of Education,

Xiaodian District, Taiyuan City
Ms Yi Lin*, Director, Shanghai Municipal Industrial
Department of Economic and Information
Technology Commission; Secretary-General,
Shanghai Creative City Promotion Office
Ms Changjun Liu, Deputy Section Chief, Section of
Department of Education, Guangxi Province
Mr Jian Liu, Deputy Managing Secretary, Beijing
Municipal Education Committee
Mr Jiantong Liu, Deputy Director-General, Department
of Vocational and Adult Education, Ministry of
Education
Mr Shouren Liu, President, School of Continuing
Education, China University of Political Science
Mr Xin Liu*, Official of Chengdu Municipal Bureau of
Commerce
Ms Ying Liu, Section Chief, Department of Vocational
Mr Yongbo Liu, Section Chief, Section of International
Communication and Cooperation, Department of
Education, Shandong Province
Ms Guangyan Long, Deputy Mayor, Zhuhai Municipal
Government, Guangdong Province
Mr Zhengpin Lu*, Deputy Director of Hangzhou Office
of Cultural & Creative Industry
Mr Zhiwei Luo*, Cleark, Urban Industrial Office,
Shanghai Economic and Information Technology
Commission
Mr Dingjie Luo, Deputy Director, Karamay Municipal
Publicity Department, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Region
Mr Xiaoping Luo, Section Chief, Section of Vocational
Education and Adult Education, Department of
Education, Guizhou Province
Ms Li Ma, Director, the Construction of Learning City
Leading Group Office, Dalian Municipal
Government; Dalian Municipal Instructors Group
Mr Zhaoxing Ma, Director, Bureau of Education,
Taiyuan City
Mr Jie Mao, Party Secretary, Director, Bureau of
Education, Zhengzhou City
Mr Fanhua Meng, Vice President, Capital Normal
University
Ms Sara Merzi, Director of China Projects, Yizhong
Education
Mr Hongming Mo, Office Chief, Bureau of Education,
Xiacheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province
Ms Jincui Nan, Associate Investigator, Department of
Education, Qinghai Province
Ms Zhiying Nian, Research Fellow, Beijing Institute of
Learning Society
Mr Pingping Ning*, Deputy Director-General,
International Communication Office of the CPC
Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Shenzhen
City of Design Promotion Office
Mr Yutao Niu, Director of School Office, Jiangsu Open

University
Ms Jin Pan*, Director of Cooperation and Exchange
Department, Shanghai Creative City Promotion
Office
Ms Huili Pan, Deputy Director, Department of
Education, Hainan Province
Mr Shijun Pan, Investigator, Section of Vocational
Education and Adult Education, Department
of Education, Liaoning Province
Ms Jie Pang*, Deputy Director, Career Development
Office, Shanghai Municipal Peoples Government
Information Office
Mr Liping Peng, Director, East China Normal University,
Center for International Teachers Education
Teachers
Mr Yanwei Qi, Director of School Office, National Open
University
Mr Changwei Qin, Deputy Secretary General, Chinese
Mr Yong Ren, Deputy Director, Bureau of Education,
Xiamen City
Mr Zehuan Ren, Deputy Director, Bureau of Education,
Jinan City
Mr Zhihua Shao, President, Pinghu City Community
College
Mr Yun Shen, Section Chief, Section of Finance and
Development Planning, Bureau of Education,
Suzhou City
Mr Jian Shi, Vice President, Sichuan University
Mr Carlo Socol, General Manager, Yizhong Education
Mr Jun Song, Vice President, Xian Radio and Television
University
Mr Yonggang Song, Party Secretary, Higher Education
Press
Mr Jintu Tang, President, Jiangsu Open University
Mr Lijun Tang, Deputy Managing Secretary, Beijing
Ms Lixia Tang*, Director General of the Foreign Affairs
Office, Shenzhen Municipal Government
Ms Si Tang*, Principal Staff Member, International
Communication Office of the CPC Shenzhen
Municipal Committee and Shenzhen City of
Design Promotion Office
Mr Zhaosheng Tong, Deputy Section Chief, Section
of Higher Education, Department of Education,
Anhui Province
Mr Antonello Vedovato, General Manager, Edulife Spa
Mr Bingxiang Wang, Secretary of Bureau of Education,
Maanshan City
Mr Bingxiang Wang, Director, Bureau of Education,
Maanshan City
Mr Chengbin Wang, Deputy Mayor, Changzhou
Municipal Government, Jiangsu Province
Mr Dingdong Wang, Member, Beijing Municipal
Education Commission
Mr Fujian Wang, Deputy Director, Institute of
Shandong Province
Mr Guoxin Wang, Director, Hangzhou Adult Education

Research Office
Ms Hui Wang, Associate Investigator, Division of
Culture, the State Council Overseas Chinese Affairs
Office
Mr Jian Wang, Deputy Director, Department of
Education, Hunan Province
Mr Jingsheng Wang, Director, Department of Publicity,
Shenzhen Municipal Government
Mr Jingsheng Wang*, Member of the Standing
Committee and Director General of Publicity
Department, CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee
Mr Lizhong Wang, Deputy Inspector, Bureau of
Education, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
Mr Quan Wang, Deputy Director, Bureau of Education,
Qingdao City
Mr Xiaochen Wang*, Interpreter of the Foreign Affairs
Office, Shenzhen Municipal Government
Mr Zhihua Wang, Deputy Section Chief, Department of
Education, Shanxi Province
Mr Zhongming Wang, Investigator, Division of
Education, Hainan Province
Mr Zhonglin Wei, Deputy Director, Deputy President of
the Party Group, Department of Education,
Guangdong Province
Mr Hongjie Wu, Deputy Director, Bureau of Education,
Zhucheng City, Shandong Province
Mr Xiangyang Wu, Deputy Inspector, Department of
Education, Fujian Province
Mr Xiaochuan Wu, Vice President, Beijing Academy of
Educational Sciences
Mr Dongmei Xi, Deputy Managing Editor, Chinese
Vocational and Technical Education Magazine
Mr Lianping Xian, Director, Beijing Municipal Education
Commission
Ms Chunping Xiang, East China Normal University,
Center for International Teachers Education
Mr Feng Xiao, Deputy Director, Bureau of Education,
Hangzhou City
Mr Guodong Xie, Vice Managing President, China
Association for Adult Education
Mr Hao Xie*, Research Fellow, Beijing Institute of
Learning Society
Mr Xiangqing Xiong, General Manager of the
Department of Education and Training, PICC
Property and Casualty Company Limited
Mr Leigang Xu, East China Normal University, Center
for International Teachers Education
Mr Xiaoyi Xu, President, School of Network Education,
South China Normal University
Mr Yibo Xu*, Deputy Secretary-General, Shanghai
Municipal Peoples Government
Mr Zhongjin Xue, Deputy Mayor, Taiyuan Municipal
Government
Mr Aoshuang Yan, Director, Beijing Municipal Science
Commission
Mr Junshan Yan, Deputy Mayor, Wuyang Municipal
Committee and Government, Henan Province
Appendices 61
Mr Shuyu Yang, Researcher, Institute of Higher

Education, Communication University
of China; Deputy Managing Secretary-General,
Lifelong Education Committee, Chinese Educational
Development Strategy Society
Mr Zhijian Yang, President, National Open University
Mr Zhonghai Ye, Professor, East China Normal
University; Director, Academic Committee, China
Association for Adult Education
Ms Jun Yi, Section Chief, Department of Language
Information Management, Ministry of Education
Mr Cheng Yin*, Secretary to the Mayor of Shenzhen
Ms Jing Yu*, Officer of Hangzhou Office of Cultural &
Creative Industry
Ms Xiaoping Yu, Division Chief of Education, Chinese
Mr Dayong Yuan, Institute of Vocational and Adult
Education at Beijing Academy of Educational
Sciences
Ms Wen Yuan, Deputy Director, Shanghai Municipal
Mr Xiuzhong Yue, Adult Education Institute, Bureau of
Education, Handan City
Mr Gaofeng Zhan, Deputy Director, Department of
Education, Jilin Province
Mr Cuizhu Zhang, Director of Research Office,
Instituted of Vocation and Adult Education, Beijing
Academy of Educational Sciences; Deputy Director,
Beijing Research Center of Learning City
Mr Daliang Zhang, Director-General, Higher Education
Department, Ministry of Education
Mr Dongdong Zhang*, Secretary to the Director General
of Publicity Department, CPC Shenzhen Municipal
Committee
Mr Hongru Zhang, Programme officer, Chinese
Mr Huifeng Zhang, Section Chief, Section of lifelong
learning, Bureau of Education, Changzhou City,
Jiangsu Province
Mr Lili Zhang, Section Chief, Section of Social
Education, Department of Education, Jiangsu
Province
Mr Minxuan Zhang, President of Shanghai Normal
University; Member of the Governing Board,
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)
Mr Peiliang Zhang, Deputy Secretary, College Working
Committee of Shanxi Province
Mr Qingsheng Zhang, Section Chief, Tianjin Municipal
Mr Qinhua Zhang, Research Fellow, Beijing Institute of
Learning Society
Mr Qundi Zhang, Director, Hexi District Community
Education Office, City of Tianjin
Mr Shengxiong Zhang, Director, Shanghai Mingde
Institute of Learning Organization
Mr Shuanggu Zhang, Vice Managing President,
Secretary General, Chinese Educational Strategy
Development Society
62
Appendices
Mr Xiaolin Zhang*, Secretary of General Office,

Chengdu Peoples Municipal Government
Mr Xingchen Zhang, Vice President, Beijing Jiao Tong
University
Ms Xiuqin Zhang, Director-General, International
Department, Ministry of Education
Mr Yongkai Zhang, Member, Beijing Municipal
Mr Zhaowen Zhang, Vice Managing President, Secretary
General, China Association for Adult Education
Mr Zhupeng Zhang, Vice Secretary-General, Researcher,
China Association for Adult Education
Mr Bingxin Zhao, President, School of Continuing
Education, Shandong University
Mr Huimin Zhao, Director, Foreign Affairs Office, Beijing
Municipal Peoples Government
Mr Yubao Zhao, Deputy Director, Bureau of Education,
Dalian City
Mr Zifang Zhao*, Division Chief of Hangzhou Office of
Cultural & Creative Industry
Mr Dengwen Zheng, Deputy Director, Beijing Municipal
Mr E Zheng, Deputy Managing Secretary, Beijing
Mr Ming Zheng, Deputy Mayor, Dandong Municipal
Peoples Government
Mr Shushan Zheng, President, China Association for
Adult Education
Mr Jiajun Zhong*, Director of the European and African
Affairs Division of the Foreign Affairs Office,
Shenzhen Municipal Government
Mr Chunliang Zhou, Deputy Director, Bureau of
Education, Suzhou City
Mr Bian Zhu, Chinese Community Education
Magazine
Mr Chengqing Zhu, Deputy Mayor, Dalian Municipal
Peoples Government
Mr Fengling Zhu, Lifelong Education Committee Office,
Chinese Educational Development Strategy Society
Mr Quanyi Zhu, Researcher (Chief Editor), the
Construction of Learning City Leading Group Office;
Learning City Bimonthly Journal
Mr Jian Zhuang, Section Chief, Section of lifelong
learning, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission
Fiji
Ms Asenaca Kamamalagi Babitu, Chief Education
Officer, Education Office in Eastern
Mr Filipe Dulakibau Gonedua, President, NAVUSO
School
India
Mr Tony Chammany, Mayor, Cochin Municipal
Corporation
Mr Sebastian Babu, Director, Siet, Government of Kerala
Mr Rajan Chedambath, Director, Center for Heritage,
Environment and Development
Mr Sreenagesh Varaden, Managing Director, Vista
Learning Technologies India Private Limited
Iran, Islamic Republic of

Mr Saeidabadi Mohammad Reza, Assistant Professor,
Secretary General, Iranian National Commission for
UNESCO
Japan
Mr Atsushi Hamada*, Vice Mayor, City of Kanazawa
Mr Osamu Kinugasa*, Manager of City of Kobe, Design
City Promotion Office
Mr Terukazu Nishino*, Director of Nagoya City Hall,
Next-Generation Industry Promotion Division, Civic
& Economic Affairs Bureau
Ms Akiko Ono, Senior Researcher, National Institute of
Educational Policy Research
Mr Takahito Saiki*, Executive Officer, City of Kobe
Mr Teruo Shinkai*, Director General Nagoya City Hall,
Civic & Economic Affairs Bureau
Mr Nobuhiro Takahashi*, Manager of City Planning
Bureau, City of Kanazawa
Ms Yin Yayu*, Interpreter
Lao Peoples Democratic Republic
Mr Xomphou Keopanya, Director General, Department
of Education and Sport
Mr Ounpheng Khammang, Deputy Director-General,
Department of Non-Formal Education
Mr Bounthanh Sengmany, Deputy-Chief of Secondary
School, Department of Education and Sport
Ms Siphone Soukhaphonh, General Director,
Department of Foreign Affairs
Malaysia
Ms Riza Atiq Abdullah O.K Rahmat, Professor, the
National University of Malaysia
Mongolia
Mr Enkhtsengel Tseuen, Deputy Mayor of Ulaanbaatar
City
Mr Batjargal Batkhuyag, Executive Council Member,
Asia South Pacific Association of Basic and Adult
Education
Mr Otgonbagana Tsedendamba, Head of Education
Agency of Ulaanbaatar City
Nepal
Mr Diwakar Dhungel, Curriculum Development Center,
Pakistan
Ms Khushbakht Hina, Assistant Professor, Islamabad
National University of Modern Languages and
Science
Mr Rizwan Muhammad, Lecturer, Rahim Yarkhan Public
Technology Institute
Philippines
Mr Jose Enrique III Garcia, Mayor of Balanga
Ms Maria Imelda Romualdez Marcos, Governor,
Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte
Mr Jun Carpio, Supervisor of Department of Education,
Alternative Learning System (ALS)
Mr Celestino Jr. Carpio, Education Programme
Supervisor, Alternative Learning System (ALS),
Department of Education Bulacan
Ms Maria Helen Dabu, Capacity Development and
Advocacy Adviser, Asia South Pacific Association
for Basic and Adult Education
Ms Jeanette Dials, Professor, Provincial Government of
Ilocos Norte
Ms Irene Elizalde, District Supervisor, Department of
Education Plaridel, Bulacan
Mr Jeffrey M. Gleane, Head Secretariat, Municipal
Literacy Coordinating Council, Local Government
Unit Municipality of Plaridel
Mr Joel Lopez, Education Program Supervisor, DepEd
Ilocos Norte
Mr Vincent D. Lucas, Municipal Information Officer,
Local Government Unit Municipality of Plaridel
Mr Roderick Pastor Ramos, Architect, Provincial
Government of Ilocos Norte
Ms Norma Salcedo, Senior Programme Specialist,
Department of Education
Ms Anastacia R. Vistan, Consultant of the Municipality
of Plaridel, Bulacan
Republic of Korea
Mr Seung-il Na, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Education
Ms Un-shil Choi, President, National Institute for
Lifelong Education; Member of the Governing
Board, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)
Mr Byung-Don Cho, Mayor, Icheon City Hall
Mr Hyuntae Jeong, Mayor, Namhae County Office
Mr Seokwoo Lee, Mayor, Namyangju City
Mr WooSub Park, Mayor, Nam-Gu, Incheon
Metropolitan City
Mr Ki-dae Yang, Mayor, Gwang-myung City
Mr Young Rok Yoo, Mayor, Gimpo City Hall
Mr Gwang Yeong Bu, Secretary, Gimpo City Hall
Mr Choong Ho Choi, Staff, Nam-Gu, Incheon
Metropolitan City
Mr Kisu Choi, Senior Secretary to the Vice-Minister,
Mr You Seung Jung*, Director General of Seoul Design
Foundation
Ms Mi Kim*, International Relations Team (DDP Group),
Seoul Design Foundation
Ms Miok Kim*, Staff of Icheon City Government,
Planning & Audit Department
Mr Myunjoong Kim, Associate Director, National
Institute for Lifelong Education
Ms Seon Yeong Kim, Staff, Gwangmyeong City Lifelong
Learning Center
Ms Miseon Kim, Chief, Namhae County Office
Appendices 63
Mr Dong Zoo Kim, Secretary, Nam-Gu, Incheon

Metropolitan City
Mr Seung-Soo Kim, Director of Lifelong Education
Division, Namyangju City
Ms Jong-Sun Kim, Chief of Lifelong Learning Center
Team, Namyangju City
Mr Sangkyu Kim, Deputy Director, Ministry of
Education
Mr Young Sang Ko, Chief Programme Specialist,
National Institute for Lifelong Education
Mr Sukmin Kwon, Counselor for Education Affairs,
Korean Embassy
Mr Hee-Su Lee, Dean, Graduate School of Human
Resource Development, Chung-Ang University
Ms Hyowon Lee*, International Relations, Seoul Design
Foundation
Mr Junghan Lee, Second Secretary, Korean Embassy
Mr Seokeun Lee, Secretary, Namhae County Office
Mr Sunhwa Lee*, Staff of Icheon City Government,
Culture & Tourism Department
Ms Gi Won Park, Manager, Gimpo Lifelong Learning
Center
Ms Hye-Young Park, Associate Director, National
Institute for Lifelong Education
Ms Kyoung Suk Ru, Assistant Director of International
Education Cooperation, Ministry of Education
Mr Moon-kyu Shin, Director, Ministry of Education
Ms Min Sun Shin, Director, Gwangmyeong City Lifelong
Learning Center
Mr Bongyul Yoo*, Team Leader of Icheon City
Government, Planning & Audit Department
Sri Lanka
Mr Sisira Tissakumara Kodikara, Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Education and Local Government (WP)
Ms Praba Selladurai, Deputy Director, Negombo District
Education Office
Thailand
Ms Pusadee Tamthai, Deputy Governor of Bangkok
Ms Nongpanga Boonpaksa, Deputy Director General
of Education Department, Bangkok Metropolitan
Administration
Ms Phojanee Kalapak, Foreign Relations Officer,
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Ms Arunwan Pimpapatanayotin, Chief of Library
Development, Culture, Sports and Tourism
Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Mr Jompob Suthasmith, Committee Member, Bangkok
Metropolitan Administration
Mr Boudin Tamthai, President of Tamthai Foundation
Tonga
Ms Sesilia Monalisa Latu, First Secretary, Embassy of the
Kingdom of Tonga in Beijing
64 Appendices
Turkey
Mr Adnan Boyaci, Associate Professor, Turkish National
Mr Ismail Demir, Head of Unit, Ministry of National
Education
Mr Selim Ycel Glec, Head of Foreign Relations
Department, Konya Metropolitan Municipality
Mr Mustafa Safran, Professor, Turkish National
Viet Nam
Mr Tien Phung Vu, Vice President (Vice Mayor) of the
Peoples Committee of Hai Dzuong City
Mr Lam Huy Le, Director, Seameo Celll
Mr Anh Tuan Bui, Vice-head of Department of
Education and Training of Hai Dzuong City
Mr Van Hoang Do, Assistant to Vice Mayor of
Department of Education and Training of Hai
Dzuong City
Mr Son Nguyen Hong, Deputy Director-General,
Continuing Education Department
Europe and North America
Armenia
Ms Mariam Gevorgyan, Teacher of Law, Armenian
National University of Education
Austria
Ms Barbara Tscherne*, Assistant Manager of Creative
Industries Styria
Belgium
Mr Philippe Nayer, Delegate from Wallonie-Brussels
(Belgium) in Beijing
Canada
Mr Roger Boshier, Emeritus Professor, Department of
Educational Studies, the University of British
Columbia
Mr Ronald Faris, Instructor, Graduate Faculty of
Education, University of Victoria
Ms Marie-Josee Lacroix*, Head of the Montreal Design
Bureau City of Montreal
Cyprus
Mr Klitos Symeonides, President of Cyprus Adult
Education Association
Estonia
Mr Tiit Land, Rector, Tallinn University
Finland
Mr Sampo Suihko, Deputy Mayor of Espoo
Ms Kristiina Eekkil, Director of Development, City of
Espoo
Mr Timo Martiskainen, Chief Executive Officer, Stara
Construction Services, City of Helsinki
Mr Mika Tirronen, Counselor of Science and Education,
Embassy of Finland
Ireland
Ms Lorraine Kingston, Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cork
City Council
Ms Margaret Hayes*, City Librarian of Dublin City Public
Libraries
Ms Tina Neylon, Coordinator, Cork Lifelong Learning
Festival
Mr Michael OSullivan*, Councilor of Dublin City Council
France
Ms Christine Beal*, Business Development Manager
Thals-Angnieux
Mr Philippe Champemond*, Deputy Director of ERAI
China
Mr Vincent Charbonnier*, Communication Advisor
Mr Chapuis Damien*, Director of International Affairs,
City of Saint-Etienne
Ms Josyane Franc*, Director of International Affairs Cit
du Design, Saint-Etienne
Ms Franoise Gourbeyre*, Vice-Mayor, City of Saint-
Etienne
Mr Lorand Hegyi*, Director of the Museum of Modern
Art in Saint-Etienne
Ms Domitille Jubert*, Communication Advisor
Mr Lionel Martinez*, Deputy General Director
Mr Maurice Vincent*, Mayor, City of Saint-Etienne
Italy
Mr Matteo Lepore*, Deputy Mayor of City of Bologna
Germany
Mr Walter Hirche, President of the German Commission
for UNESCO; Member of the Governing Board,
Ms Veronika Maria Schnstein, Initiative LEIF, Stadt
Freiburg
Mr Wolfgang Brehmer, Director of Administration,
Department of Education, Munich
Romania
Mr Valentin Sorin Popescu, Director of Ministry of
National Education, Romania
Russian Federation
Ms Zulkhiza Islamova, Federal State Budgetary
Educational Institution of the Hig/the Bashkir State
Pedagogical University of M.Akmulla
Ms Victoria Kosteva, Head of Department of
International Contacts, Moscow City Teacher
Training University
Mr Igor Remorenko, Rector, Moscow City Pedagogical
University
Serbia
Mr Sonja Davidovic, Technical Experts, Department of
Agriculture University of Belgrade
Ms Danijela Pop Jovanov, English Teacher, KARLOVCI
Language Schools
Mr Bojan Jovicic, Intermediate Consultant, Media
Department of the University of Belgrade
Greece
Mr Vassilios Costis, Ambassador, Embassy of Greece in
Beijing
Mr Apostolos Gerakopoulos, First Secretary, Embassy of
Greece in Beijing
Mr Dionyssios Kalamvrezos, First Counselor, Embassy of
Greece in Beijing
Mr Dimitrios Raftopoulos, Director - Head of Strategic
Leadership Unit, Lifelong Learning Research Institute
Spain
Ms Maria Fachal Corbeira, Counselor, Ministry of
Education, Spanish Embassy
Mr Juan Ibarreche Careche, Director of VET for
Population at Risk, Basque Employment Service
Mr Ramn Martinez De Murguia Urreta, Director of
Education and Learning, Department of Education
Ms Maria Luisa Ochoa Fernandez, Education Advisor,
Spanish Embassy, Education Office
Mr Carlos Alejandro Vargas Tamez, International
Research Project Officer, University of Deusto
Iceland
Mr Einar Orn Benediktsson*, Deputy Mayor of City of
Reykjavik
Mr Sigurdur Bjorn Blondal*, Political Advisor of City of
Reykjavik
Switzerland
Mr Nektarios Palaskas, Science Counselor/Head Science
and Education Section, Swiss Embassy in Peoples
Republic of China
Mr Marco Stricker, Swaziland Commission for UNESCO
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Mr Norman Longworth, UNESCO Consultant/Emeritus
Professor
Ms Brenda Arthur*, Leader of the Council of Norwich
City Council
Mr Zubair Yakoob Hanslot, Provost External Relations,
University of Bolton
Appendices 65
Mr Philip Henderson*, City Officer of Lord Provosts

Office, City of Edinburgh Council
Ms L aura Susan Mcgillivray*, Chief Executive, Norwich
City Council
Mr William Robert Mark ONeill*, Director of Policy &
Research, Glasgow Life
Ms Annalee Sutherland*, Business Manager of Lord
Provosts Office, City of Edinburgh Council
Mr David Wilson*, Director of Bradford UNESCO City of
Film
Mr Donald Caig Wilson*, Lord Provost of City of
Edinburgh Council
United States of America
Ms Benita Carole Somerfield, Chair for the International
Awards, U.S. Library of Congress National Advisory
Board; Standing Committee Member, Member of
the Governing Board, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong
Learning (UIL)
Mr Matthew Hayek*, Mayor, City of Iowa
Mr Ives Nelson Peter*, Council of the City of Santa Fe
Latin America and the Caribbean
Argentina
Mr Marcos Amadeo*, Deputy General, Director of
Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos
Aires
Ms Graciela Messina, International Consultant
Bahamas
Ms Maxine Lorene Forbes, Principal, Ministry of
Education
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Mr Ilias Siddiqui, Coordinator for Latin America, World
Youth Bank Latin American Coordination
Brazil
Mr Jos Simes De Almeida Junior, Secretary of
Education, City Hall of Sorocaba, So Paulo
Colombia
Ms Alexandra Pelez Botero, Secretary of Education,
Medelln Education Secretariat
Mr Francisco Fuentes Concha*, Researcher of
Polytechnic University of Turin Mechanics and
Aerospace Department
Ms Marta Lucia Bustos Gomez*, Executive Chief of
Direction of Culture, Arts and Heritage
Mr Francisco Fuentes Meneses*, Mayor of Popayn City
Mayoralty
Grenada
Ms Rose-Ann Agnes Ateba Benjamin, Teacher, Grenada
Junior High School (Boys School)
Ms Roxann Laurel Bhola, Vice-Chancellor, Westerhall
Junior High School
66 Appendices
Guyana
Mr Sadiek Ishmael, Senior Teacher, Guyana Wellington
School
Ms Camanie Devl Khedaroo, Coordinator, University of
Guyana
Haiti
Mr Jean Sony Pierre, Mayor of Croix-des-Bouquets
Mr Emmanuel Gerard A. Patrick Brutus, Director
General of City of Ptiou-Ville
Jamaica
Ms Angela Brown Burke, Mayor, Kingston and St.
Andrew Corporation
Mr Desmond Gilmore, Chairman, Mayor, St. Ann Parish
Council
Ms Shernet Haughton, Mayor, Hanover Parish Council
Mexico
Ms Mara Nadiezhda Robles Villaseor, Minister of
Education of Mexico City
Ms Sara Elena Mendoza Ortega, Deputy Director
of Diversified Contents, National Institute of Adult
Education
Panama
Mr Juan Manuel Espaa Soberon, Reporter, Panama
Star
Paraguay
Ms Eusebia Maria Del Carmen Benitez Diaz, Social
Communicator, Municipal of YBYCUI
Ms Mara Carmen Hidalgo Baeza, Sustainable
Development in the Villages of Knowledge,
International Relations Directorate of the Ministry
of Education and Culture of Paraguay
Mr Ricardo Rozalen Snchez, Sustainable Development
in the Villages of Knowledge, International
Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Education
and Culture of Paraguay
Peru
Ms Blanca Maria Cayo Quintana, Metropolitan
Councilor, Metropolitan Municipality of Lima
International Organisations, Agencies

and Corporations
International and Regional Organisations and
Agencies
Arab Urban Development Institute
Mr Osman Nour, Professor
European Commission
Ms Dana-Carmen Bachmann, Head of Unit, Vocational
Training and Adult Education, Directorate General
Education and Culture
The Organization of Ibero-American States for

Education, Science and Culture (OEI)
Mr Luis Mara Scasso, Director General for Cooperation
and Lifelong Education
UN-Habitat, Bangkok Office
Ms Mariko Sato, Chief
International and Non-governmental Associations
dvv International
Universities
Beijing Normal University
Ms Li Chen, Director of Subjects Planning and
Construction, Director of Distance Education
Research Center, Director of Interactive Media and
Distant Learning Laboratory, Executive Dean of
Beijing Institute for Learning Society
Swansea University
Ms Judith James, Strategic Projects Manager,
Ms Jean Preece, Adult Education Manager
Mr Mana Chanthalanonh, Coordinator for Monitoring

and Evaluation (Lao Office)
Mr Heribert Wilhelm Hinzen, Regional Director
Mr Farrell Hunter
Mr Anton Markmiller
University of South Australia

Mr Steffen Lehmann, Professor and UNESCO Chair in
Sustainable Urban Development for Asia and the
Pacific
The International Council for Adult Education (ICAE)

Ms Shirley Walters, Professor, University of Western
Cape, South Africa
UNESCO Headquarters
Pascal International Observatory

Mr Michael Osborne, Professor, University of Glasgow
Foundations and Corporations
Festo Didactic
Mr Nader Imani, Head of Global Education
Mr Hermann Nagel, Director (China)
Mr Valerio Giuseppe Ricciardelli, Managing Director
IBM
Mr George David Thomas, Partner & Director, Smarter
Cities, Greater China
Intel (China) Ltd.
Mr Jun Ge, Director Manager
Ms Qin Li, K-12 Education Programme Manager
Ms Hong Zhou, PRC K-12 Education Programme
Manager
Ms Wenli Zhu, Education Programme Director
Kings Group of Companies
Mr Shaji Baby John, Chairman
Mr Baby John Shaji, Director
Microsoft
Mr James Bernard, Global Director, Education Strategic
Partnerships
Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General

Mr Qian Tang, Assistant Director-General for Education
Mr Hans dOrville, Assistant Director-General for
Strategic Planning
Mr Dov Lynch, Senior Communication Officer,
Office of the Director-General
Ms Eve Boutilie, Interpreter
UNESCO Regional Offices
UNESCO Bangkok Office
Mr Gwang-Jo Kim, Director
UNESCO Institutes and Centres
Mr Arne Carlsen, Director of the Institute
Ms Sunok Jo, Programme Specialist
Mr Stephen Michael Roche, Head of Publications
Mr Nils Joel Peter Roslander, Programme Specialist
Ms Cendrine Marie-Christine Sebastiani, Publications
Assistant
Mr Ral Valdes-Cotera, Programme Specialist
Ms Mo Wang, Intern
Mr Jin Yang, Senior Programme Specialist
Note: Names with * are the participants of Creative
Cities Summit in Beijing, who also participated in the
International Conference on Learning Cities.
Siemens
Mr Zhou Zheng, Senior Consultant
Appendices 67
BEIJING Municipal
on Learning Cities
Beijing - 2013

Feldbrunnenstr. 58
20148 Hamburg, Germany
Tel.: +49 40 44 80 41 12
Fax: +49 40 41 077 23
learningcities@unesco.org
www.learningcities2013.org

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Conference

Overview of the Conference

A. Opening of the Conference

C. Parallel Regional Forums

F. Closing of the Conferenece

G. Study and Cultural Visits

III. Conference Outcomes

A. Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities

B. Key Features of Learning Cities

IV. Media Coverage and Feedback

B. Feedback from Participants

B. Members of the Bureau of the Conference

D. Report of the Conference by the General Rapporteur

UNESCO gratefully acknowledges the

The first International Conference on Learning Cities,

Adoption of the Beijing Declaration on Building

Over 550 delegates from 102 countries attended. These

The conference culminated in the adoption of the

Urging UNESCO to establish a global network

The Key Features of Learning Cities were also endorsed

I. Overview of the Conference

The influence of cities in national and world affairs has

6 Overview of the Conference

In 2012, UNESCO decided to co-organise the First

Foundations and Corporations

UIL, in collaboration with the Beijing Municipal

Alongside the main conference proceedings, a special

Overview of the Conference

II. Conference Inputs and Discussion

A. Opening of the Conference

in their rights and dignity, in societies that are just and

than half of the worlds population lives today, have a

best place to hold the first International Conference

increase the capacity for employment, entrepreneurship

individual... Lifelong learning makes the future of life

Conference Inputs and Discussion 9

Ms Liu exhorted mayors and education executives to

The first session discussed the concept of lifelong

oriented processes. In this regard, he underscored

Microsoft introduced its initiative of Innovative

Conference Inputs and Discussion 11

Most citizens develop skills to meet labour market

Conference Inputs and Discussion

The third plenary session presented important

Mr Zheng presented the research methodology and

4. Introduction to the draft Beijing Declaration on

Conference Inputs and Discussion

UIL selected cities in each of the UNESCO regions

1. Regional Forum on Africa

Ms Robles from Mexico City discussed the value of

Participants suggested providing further support

Moderator: Mr Jean-Marie Ahlin Byll-Cataria,

C. Parallel Regional Forums

Is the learning city concept relevant to your region?;

The five regional forums endorsed learning cities as

Conference Inputs and Discussion

The African Regional Forum opened with remarks

Furthermore, as Mr Silaa pointed out, promoting

Building a learning city is a collective activity that

Conference Inputs and Discussion 15

The Asia and the Pacific Regional Forum highlighted a

4. Regional Forum on Europe and North America